SCHOOL ENTRANCE AGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 1 May 1934, Page 4

SCHOOL ENTRANCE AGE

PROTESTS AGAINST EXCLUSION OF FIVE=YE ARNOLDS RESOLUTIONS OF HOUSEHOLDERS’ Ah each of the city schools last evening the householders’ meetings passed resolutions against the exclusion of five-year-old 'children from the schools. At the Central School Mr H.. Barltrop moved: “That this meeting of householders of the Nelson Central School registers its protest against the action of tlie Government in excluding children of five years of age from schools; and that the protest be submitted' to the Minister of Education.”

The mover considered it a ridiculous position that a headmaster should be supplied with more teachers than lie could do with, and yet children of five years were excluded from school. Other speakers spoke strongly of the “grave injustice” and unwisdom of the Government’s action, and the motion was carried.

Air H. Wood considered that the Government could produce no argument in favour of its step except that of finance. Mr A. Smith moved and it was carried, that the Minister be asked to furnish a statement showing the saving effected by the exclusion of the five-year-olds, and the cost involved due to the transfer of teachers where school grades are lowered. Mr Smith was of opinion that the saving to the Government was negligible. Arising from the committee’s report the meeting at Hampden street decided to send a very emphatic protest to the Minister of Education in connection with the exclusion of five-year-old children which was considered a most serious and retrograde step; and against the interests of the children, the teachers an:! the school, with little if any saving lo the Government. At the -Auckland Point school it was decided on the motion of Messrs R. L. Black and W. Beveridge that it be a recommendation to tlie Education Board Iroin the annual meeting: “That the age ot entry of children to school should bo live years. '