THE HUAPAI SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19508, 11 December 1926, Page 12

THE HUAPAI SCHOOL.

CAPITATION ALLOWANCE, COMPLAINT TO THE MINISTER. A complaint regarding inadequate capitation allowance for the Huapai School was made yesterday to the Minister of Education, the Hon. R, A. Wright, by Mr. G. T. W. Green, chairman of the committee. Mr; Green said the school roll was 86 and the average attendance 75, but the department granted a capitation allowance on the same basis as for a school with an average attendance of 36. It was only with great difficulty that the committee was able to carry out necessary work and provide stationery. This state of affairs was not confined to Huapai, but a glaring example was provided in that district. It seemed strange that with small school attendances the capitation allowances were raised only after large increases in the rolls, whereas if the attendance was 500 the allowance was increased with every 20 additional students. The school had two efficient teachers, as shown by the fact that every candidate in the proficiency examination .gained a pass. However, an increased staff would be welcomed, as the two teachers were forced io work very hard.

The Minister said there were many schools in a similar position and he could not favour one without carrying out reforms in others. The argument in connection with the scale of capitation allowances was new tc him and he would look into the question with his officers.