WHANGAREI SCHOOL.

Northern Advocate, 4 April 1919, Page 2

WHANGAREI SCHOOL.

SUGGESTED REMOVAL

COMMERCIALISM AND

EDUCATION,

In.the course of an address to the members of the Whangavei School Committee last night,, prior to his departure from the district, Mr Alexander Macgregor stated that they had now reached the stage in education when some big policy should hi laid down which would govern it in all its stages, primary, secondary, and tertiary. The big question now confronting th c local authority was that of school space. How were tliey going to treat this question? Were they going to allow additional buildings on this area, or were they going to enlarge the space? Had they considered whether the Whangarei school stood on a proper site 9 They had the public highway on one side and th e train on the other, and the traffic and dust of the former, combined with the tooting of - the train on the other, disturbed the har monic working of the school. Then, again, the grounds and buildings were much too small. He was of opinion that better sites could be procured, and instanced the properties of Dent ; Weaver, and Mair, in any of which th c disturbing factors above mentioned would be eliminated or reduced. This idea was certainly a big one, and if too big there was the alternative of procuring more land adjacent to the present site, and erecting an open air building thereor. to carry the overflow from the main school. Recently a grant had been made for the erection of an engineer • ing school. If technical education had come to stay, and was to be established on a proper basis, why should the primary school authorities carry out improvements and enlargements, piecemeal. Four thousand pounds r were being spent in Hamilton for the erection of a proper technical school. The local school committee here should devote their energies to seeing that they received proper and permanent teehni cal facilities. If this were done, and a proper building erected, the pre sent woodwork and cookery school could be used for primary work. He did not believe in alienating the technical from the primary, but in greater co-ordination 'between the two institutions. He advocated the erection of a" proper technical school, in keep ing with the status of the district. „ HOW TO PROCEED. There were now three methods of providing for the necessary school space. First, the purchase of a new and large site, so that there would be no patchwork; second, the purchase of additional land adjoining the present site, and the erection of an overflow school on the same; third, the building of a proper technical school for the district, and the taking over of |the present technical school for primary work. OVERCROWDING. The next question was that of overcrowding. There were at the present time 100 more scholars in the school than they were supposed to accommodate on the recognised floor space. They had heard much about prohibition, but what prohibition was more important than the overcrowding of school children With regard to class-rooms, there was not one which should be considered satisfactory. In almost every case the lighting was distinctly bad, and the schools had something to do with the conditions of sight now prevailing in this country. His school could be improved at least 500 times by a very small outlay. . MEMBERS' OPINIONS Mr Reynolds thought that another school would be necessary before long. Schools should not be allowerl to get too big. Mr Macgregor said the present policy was to limit schools to 500. The Minister of Education in Great Britain had stated that 400, children were enough for any one school, The chairman said that it had been suggested that while the Hora Hora School had space to spare, the overflow should go there. Mr Macgregor said that no stej< should be taken which would tend to bring the average of the school below top grade standard. This was the only way to attract the best class of teachers. The Rev. Clark suggested that it would be against th c interests of this school to erect another near by. Mr Macgregor said that with good roads and easy transport facilities it was not difficult to bring the children to a central school. This, however, was not the proper site, but.it was for the committee to say where they would go. Mr Horn pointed out that many of the schools in Auckland had less space than this school. Mr Macgregor replied that two wrongs didn't mak e a right; h e was simply advising them as represent?tives of th c community. It was not a right thing to allow wrong to be perpetuated. Provision shduld be made now to meet the growth of the , town. Mr Hopewell stated that the Board's architect had said that no school should exceed 500 pupils. Mr Macgregor's idea of keeping the school on top grade and thereby attracting the best teachers, was souml. Mr Moore said that it had been suggested that overcrowding could be overcome by raising the age of entry to '7 years. He wanted to ' know if this would not be hard upon the poorer classes. Mr Macgregor, speaking as a parent, said he would rather see Ws children a nuisance at home than forced at a young age into an over crowded school room. If a great

portion of th e stuff that is crammed into the young children were thrown out, and their young lives made bright and happy, and they wen given a childhood, they would grow f up to be better men and women I There could not be proper mental < and moral development if the temple t of God which housed, them was not 1 I kept in vigorous and healthy condi- 1 tion. The policy to shut out child- ] ren under 7 years was suggested in ! order to set up a hue and cry which ] would demand proper housing condi- ' tions for young children. TOO MUCH COMMERCIALISM. If many of our young ( children were kept as healthy as young animals free to play in our parks, until they were nine years of age, they would be more efficient scholars at 14 than at present. The education system to-day was all. wrong. . Commercialism had entered too largely into it. The idea to-day was to rush a boy quickly through his schooling in order that he might get a good job. This was why there were so many round pegs in square holes Peopl e were beginning to see now that happiness was one of the essen- , tials of life. Reconstruction was being demanded to-day, because the past had been wrong. Industrial unhappiness was due to the commercia spirit which had gripped the nation. The reconstruction would have to ba . on individualistic lines, so that a class \ of children will no longer be graded [ like a case of oranges, according to [ size or age. Thus it was that we , had so many moanings and groanings, \ and while th c dollar was the first, l second and last consideration, so long would this spirit prevail. Everyman l had the right to live and enjoy his living. Every man had the right to , the sunshine and the air. Th e Almighty didn't create these things for the few. It was now a case of the submerged third, and not tenth, as , has been the popular idea. The to give everyone the right \ to live th c tru e life was to educate p them on sound lines. ,; WARM THANKS. ■* In conclusion, Mr Macgregor exd pressed the warm appreciation and , thanks of his and himself for ]\ the support accorded them by the c committee. Had he not had their ". support he would have been like j many another who had fallen by the i_ wayside. He had had sometimes to n put up with opposition, but he thank- , ed them for their sympathy and for any opposition that had been offered, " because oppositon only illumined f the right and brought out the truth. ,1 He hoped the school would continue v to progress, and. he trusted the come mittee would continue their support c to his successor. "The truth was mighty and must prevail." I The Rev. J. R. Clark felt a debt of gratitude to Mr Macgregor for hi* j remarks. If what he suggested were carried into effect not only the com- ] mittee, but the community as a whole would be greatly benefited. Hr. moved a hearty v.pte of thanks to Mr f Macgregor for his address. , Mr Walker, in seconding, said the t present school was a monument ot \ his zeal and ability.

The motion was carried unanimously. Mr.Hopewell moved that Mr Macgregor's report re overcrowding be forwarded to the Board.

Mr Cutforth, in seconding, said he hoped they would, get as good a man to take Mr Macgregor's place, and hoped he would do well in his new school.

The motion was carried

Mr Reynolds said that in Mr Macgregor they had a man who had taken a very great interest, not only in the school, but also in public" affairs, and the work that he had done was reflected to-day in the minde and thoughts of all those who saw what he had accomplished. \ ;

Mr Macgregor briefly thanked thu members for their resolution,