TRAVELLING SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13745, 9 May 1908, Page 6

TRAVELLING SCHOOLS.

. roil FARMERS' CHILDREN. 'Tills' Minister for Education in New South Wales (Mr. J. A. Hogue),' speaking at- Narrabri, said that. the Government had decided upon an important experiment in connection with the education of settlers' and fanners' children. The Government had adopted the wise policy of settling people on the land, and when these pioneers went far back in the bush and helped to develop our great resources tho Government was in honour bound to see that their children received proper education. At the present time there was « system of subsidising schools , iit force, but the Government had decided upon an experiment which, to his knowledge, had never yet been tried in any • other part of the world. It had been decided, ill order to meet the want's of children situated in isolated parts of the State too far removed from any centre to avail themselves of existing educational facilities, to establish house-to-house travelling schools. (Cheers.) The first of the''schools under this unique system was to be brought into operation in the Narrabri district, under the name of Eton-Harrow House-to-House Schooh There would be four teaching stations, and it was proposed to teach a-week at each station in turn, commencing the first week at No. 1, where seven children would be provided for; the week at No. -2, six miles a .vay, three children : third week at No." 3, ten miles from No. 2 station, 11 children : fourth week at No. 4- station, 20 miles from No. 2, 10 children; making a total of 51 children who, under this system, would now be able to avail* themselves of education under a properly qualified teacher. (Cheers.) In order to provide for tho comfort of teachers whilst travelling to the various stations a covered conveyance was being supplied, fitted with up-to-date appliances. This would enable the teacher to sleep in the vehicle if necessary, and also to allow of material kip; shifted from school to school as occasion required. Rooms for teaching purposes would be provided free of cost at I each teaching station, also free forage for j teachers' horses.