Manawatu Daily Times MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1925. More Schools For Palmerston North.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2713, 22 June 1925, Page 6

Manawatu Daily Times MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1925. More Schools For Palmerston North.

Tho Wanganui Education Board is to be complimented upon tho decision it has made to secure sites in Palmerston North for additional schools in the future. There is no doubt that our town is rapidly expanding - and the figures that Inspector Stuckey placed before tho Board on Wednesday evening afford convincing proof of that expansion. For the past five years tho primary school population of our town has increased by over 500 children; and the ratio of growth is fast rising. The schools at present established will, in tho near future, next year is fact, bu unable to accommodate those who will apply for admission; and not too soon are stops to bo taken to provide for this growth. Now Is The Time! In view of these facts, it appears that the time is opportune to ask that those administering tho educational affairs of our town should enunciate some progressive policy. It is generally agreed to-day by the foremost educationalists of tho world, that tho child should commence its secondary education at about the age of eleven years, and in England,, on tho Continent, and in- America, provision is being made for that type'of education. Why Not Junior High School? In New Zealand the authorities are timidly experimenting with the junior high school movement, but there is a compact body of opinion and knowledge available that should be used ir. this progressive country. Mr J. Caughley, Director of Education, when addressing the Luncheon Club here recently, spoke convincingly of he advantages of the Junior High School, and it appears that now is tho jtime for Palmerston North to move ■I in the matter. There are some principles vital to

the idea that appeal strongly. They are: the adolescent should have art enriched syllabus and greater oppor-: tunlties should be offered to develop every child to the very fullest capacity so that none may be denied his right to the best the State has to give. Then it Is an accepted principle that the Junior High School should be coeducational; and should be free from the traditions of the Grammar School but should embody the free spirit of the New Education. A Revolutionary Move. Much more can be said upon this movement —a movement destined to revolutionise the educational system of New Zealand. It appears that it would be to the benefit of the future citizens of this town—which will be a city 'to-morrow- —to work steadfastly for the establishment of a separate Junior High School upon one of the new sites to be procured. In the meantime the subject is well worthy of careful study.