REAL LIBRARIES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6853, 7 March 1929, Page 6

REAL LIBRARIES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS

HEADMASTERS’ REQUEST

At Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Central School committee, the headmaster (Mr E. Bary) brought before the committee members the question of teaching French as provided for in the new syllabus and also the importance of having a suitable school library.

In speaking on the matters, Mr Bary stated that the new syllabus issued by the Education department had altered considerably the scheme of work in the school. At Central School it had been to teach French to those scholars in Standards V. and VI. who were likely to go on to the High School, and business methods were being taught to others not going to the High School. To enable the teachers to carry on the French course—it was all to be oral—he would like the committee to purchase from the Education department a set of special gramophone records for £4 S/-. The syllabus also stressed the great importance of reading—not only formal reading, but the creation of a reading atmosphere around the school. They were faced with the difficulty of finding a sufficient supply of historical, geographical and scientific matter suitable for the children. He would like to see something done and suggested that the first movement be to turn the present school library room into a Teal library, by clearing it of all surplus material and having it fitted with shelves so as to accommodate more books. The Borough council each year issued to schools a number of suitable books. These, however, were not sufficient. He would like to see if some effort could not bo made to secure an extended library for the school. To meet expenses, the ladies’ committee might be asked to hold a street stall and this would give them a start. At present ,the teachers were too busy with the preparation of new work to do anything themselves. No doubt, many children could get books from home for the library. The work carried a £1 for £1 subsidy and, could something be done, it would be much appreciated by everybody. On being informed that the children had started on the new syllabus, Mr B. J. Jacobs pointed out the importance of a good French accent and the committee agreed to purchase the records desired by the headmaster. With regard to raising money for a library, after many suggestions had been considered, it was decided to hold the matter over for further consideration.

The headmaster of the West End School (Mr F. H. Moore) put forward a similar request for additional books for the school library at last evening’s emmitteo meeting. In doing so, Mr Moore explained that under the new syllabus the children were required to read a minimum of 15 books in each class. Books were urgently required in order to carry out the requirements of the syllabus and ho therefore asked that the committee should assist him financially in obtaining the required additions. The children and teachers had already done much work in this direction and had raised money by means of penny concerts and other activities.

The headmaster was authorised to purchase books to a valuo of £lO.