COMMERCIAL COURSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21098, 4 February 1932, Page 11

COMMERCIAL COURSES.

NO STATE ALLOWANCE. EDUCATION BOARD'S PROTEST. The Auckland Education Board was advised yesterday by the Education Department that, commercial courses would be discontinued forthwith at district high schools where the teaching of the subjects was done by additional part-time teachers. This action was necessary as a measure of economy, but where the regular staff was able to do the work, commercial courses, and particularly book-keeping, should be definitely encouraged. The chairman, Mr. A. Burns, said the children at many of the schools affected would be unfairly penalised, as they could not get private tuition in country districts. The department's action was a cruel one to make after the teim s work had been commenced. The secretary, Mr. D. W. Dunlop, said the advice had been received on Monday and the board had immediately notified a number of schools. The part-time teachers had already been appointed. A total of 677 children took commercial courses last year in district high schools in the board's area, and there would be only four schools, including the Northcote and Otahuhu institutions, not affected. He read a number of protests from country school committees which staled that many children were attending the. schools specially for the commercial courses and would have to leave.. In some instances typewriters and books had already been purchased. The board decided to protest to the depart ment.