MIXED SCHOOLS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 17 June 1924, Page 4

MIXED SCHOOLS

NELSON DOCTORS’ UNANIMOUS PROTEST The communication (previously published) signed by all the Ndson doctors giving tile opinions of the Chief Inspector of Schools for Scotland, which were against mixed schools, came before the Nelson Education Board for consideration at yesterday’s meeting. When the secretary proceeded to read the letter, Mr Sfcantlobury said this was unnecessary, as it had already ap peared in The Mail and the West Coast member could read it there. It was decided, however, that the let ter he read. The secretary .stated that too Chief Inspector of Schools for Scotland was a brother of one of the Nelson doctors. In reading the letter he staled'the letter gave only extracts from the report from Scotland and while he did not suggest the extracts were misleading it would have been better if the full report had been given. '.rile chairman said the Chief Inspector for Scotland jiad referred mainly t<> High Schools, with which they had not to deal and mostly to large centres. He had no doubt the doctors were actuated, by the best- of motives, hut the fact remained that the concensus of expert opinion was greatly in favour of mixed schools. The doctors also talked of the very fine system hitherto pertaining in Nelson, lint was it ? The'fact was that Nelson children were 1 year to 18 months behind those of oilier places. Air lil • eaithlv (Senior Inspector) had told them this was the fault of the, system. The doctors would not f-ay the children of Nelson were less intelligent than those in other places.. The exchange Chief Inspector (Mr Valentine) said that hoys and girls were horn together in a family and why should they not- continue cm in the schools. Schools were really homes nowadavs. It was resolved that the letter he received.