NEEDS OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18861, 8 November 1924, Page 13

NEEDS OF EDUCATION.

MINISTER AND THE BOARDS.

CONFERENCE THIS MONTH.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Friday.

An important conference, similar to that held last year, will take place at Wellington on November 26 and 27, between the Minister for Education, Hon. C. J. Parr, and the chairmen of the nine education boards of the Dominion for the purpose of discussing general mattors of education administration, the cost and type of school building, etc.

There will be about twenty main topics of discussion and one of the most important will be that of agricultural education in the primary schools. Twentyseven agricultural instructors have already been appointed and are performing duties at Various schools, but it is felt that a great deal more can be done to co-ordin-ate their work.

As a result of the conference with the architects of the boards hold last year, a great deal of good work was accomplished in the direction of reducing the cost of school buildings, and in continuance of this policy the Minister hopes that further economies may be practised as a result of the forthcoming conference. Mr. Parr still considers that the price of school huildings in some districts is extraordinarily high. The consolidation of country schools, and the transportation of pupils is anothei subject for consideration.