EDUCATION ACTIVITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18059, 6 April 1922, Page 8

EDUCATION ACTIVITIES.

REVIEW OF YEAR'S WORK. MATTER OF ACCOMMODATION — ~ \ NEEDS OF RURAL DISTRICTS.

A review of the activities of the Auckland Education Board during the past year is contained in the annual report adopted by the board yesterday. During the year, states the report, 14 new schools were built and 30 enlarged, i while six teachers' residences were erected. Eecognising that the period was one of financial stringency, applications for grants for new buildings and additions to build[ings were restricted by the board to absolutely urgont cases, while halls and other buildings had been hired wherever possible in order to relieve the position. In certain cases, the board had taken advantage of the department's scheme for the erection of portable buildings, in order ■to provide school accommodation where it j was urgently required. Tho question of 'accommodation for teachers in rural districts was still acute, aud was one of the most difficult problems with which the board had to deal. It was important that the residents of rural areas should do : their utmost to co-operate with the school ! authorities in providing suitable accommodation for teachers, otherwise the board would have no recourse but to close the school. Students at the Training College. The number of students at the Training College during 1921 was given as 270, including 204 women students. The number in training during the present year would ' probably be at least 350. The board was st.il] using the annex building in the Domain as additional accommodation for ■ thu training of students. A large area I of land in the Epsom district had been • vested in the board during tho year as i a sito for a new training college. Arrange- . ments were almost completed for tie. establishment of an hostel for Training i College women students at " Willesden," i in the Epsom district. i The inspector's reports upon the work done in the secondary departments of the • district high schools gave cause for much > j satisfaction, having improved very much >1 in quality during the last few years. Ap--1 plications had been received for tho erec- ' j tion of high schools at Kaitaia, Itawone, ' Te Aroha, and Opotiki, and if sufficient ■ pupils were forthcoming, tho schools would probably be established at an ealy date. Success of Medical Inspection. " The medical officers working in the Auckland education district continue to render very valuable service to parents by tho medical inspection of children throughout the various schools," continues tho report. " These officers advise parents of defects in their children, and froJuontly address meetings of parents, wing to their efforts several hospital boards throughout the Auckland education district have granted free medical treatment to children who have been recommended to their institutions by a school medical officer. This is a great concession on tho part of tho hospital authorities, and the board records its thanks for their action. The board feels, however, that medical inspection is but tho beginning of a work of making healthy and virile people, and looks forward to the time when the number of medical officers will be so increased that they will bo able to supply remedial treatment." School dental clinics had been established ,at Beresford Street School, Auckland, and at Warkworth, and the dental officers in charge of these had given attention to a very larpe number of children. The board hoped tl at the time was not far distant when d ntal clinics would be established in all lai re centres, and a fully equipped travelling iental clinic accessible to residents of rur 1 districts.