Increase in Rolls of Three High Schools

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 45, 22 February 1945, Page 4

Increase in Rolls of Three High Schools

Increased lolls are a feature of the three secondary schools in Palmerston North. The principal of the Technical High School, Mr. 11. M. Scott, at a meeting of the Board of Governors last night, reported a roll of 621 day pupils, an increase of 76. This has made the matters of accommodation und timetables most difficult. ’Until the prefabricated rooms became availabio the school was having to put up with a considerable amount of unsatisfactory and makeshift arrangements. The principal of the Girls’ High School, Miss E. E. Stephens, reported a record roll of 309. The rector of the Boys’ High School, Mr. J. Murray, reported a roll ot 364 and said that, provided the minimum of 360 was maintained until March 1, tho school would move up to Grade XI and become entitled to an additional member of the staff;. Fifty .boarders were in residence at College House. It was also reported to the board that there had been roll increases at every secondary school in New Zealand except one. All three schools reported staffing difficulties. Staffing at the schools is still governed by tho old regulations and nothing can be done to alter the situation until promised new regulations are gazetted. The board voiced a protest at tho delay in the gazetting of tho new regulations and also expressed concern at the shortage of teachers. Tho question is to bo asked of tho Education Department: Are the training colleges full and, if not, why not? Mr. Murray expressed the hope that tho *new regulations Would not be long in coming into operation as the present effect of the new university entrance and school certificate examinations was the creation of some rather difficult staffing and classification problems. A more liberal staffing allotment which the new regulations would allow would help very considerably to solve these problems. The board congratulated the school heads and staff on tlie very successful public examination results "at the end pf the year.