THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18889, 11 December 1924, Page 6

THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

IMPROVEMENT OF GROUNDS.

ASSOCIATION'S DECISIONS.

The quaiterly meeting of the Auckland Primary Schools Committees' Association was held last evening, the president, Mr. A. A. Picsse, presiding.

The Grafton School Committee submitted a remit asking the association to support the principle advocated by the Minister for Education whereby school committees be authorised to strike a rate not. exceeding Id in the £ on the ratable valui of school districts for permanent impiovements to school grounds. The Rev. A. Thornhill, in moving the remit, considered that school committees in the Dominion were very seriously handicapped. It was too bad that they should have to go "cap in hand" for everything they required in the way of improvements. In England school committees had the authority to strike such a rate.

It was resolved that the Minister for Education bo asked to introduce legislation for Dominion taxation to provide funds for properly-equipped play grounds for all schools in the Dominion. The Stanley Bay Committee submitted a remit that it was desirable, in the interests of the scho>!s, that headmasters should reside in the school districts. This was carried.

The City District School Committee asked that tho Education Board be urged vo provide adequate school grounds for each school in the city area, and whore tho ground is at present available to have it properly prepared. In view of the adoption of the Grafton remit this was withdrawn.

A further remit was submitted from the City Schools' Committee requesting that the board be asked to make permanent appointments to vacancies ■ccciirring on tho school staffs with as little as possible and so avoid the excessive number of relieving teachers at present employed. The city delegate stated that in one a year and two months had elapsed before a successv: was appointed. In 18 months then had been no fewer than 22 different appointments at the Bcrcsfom Street School. The remit was adopted. The Vauxhalt Committee asked that in tho matter of seating accommodation hi schools, it was desirable that single desks should be provided for the pupils in at least the Fifth and Sixth Standards in all primary schools, both for discipline and health reasons. This was carried.

A reviit from the Mount Eden School Committee that it be compulsory that all primary and secondary school teachers must have received their education in State schools was referred to next meeti»g- *