EDUCATION BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21880, 16 August 1934, Page 15

EDUCATION BOARD

CHAIRMAN RE-ELECTED NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED PROBLEMS TO BE FACED The chairman of the Auckland Education Board, Mr. T. U. Wells, was re-elected for a further term of two years at a meeting of the board yesterday. In nominating Mr. Wells, the Hon. A. Burns. M.L.C.. said all members would agree that Mr. Wells had conducted meetings in an excellent manner, and had been very fair and impartial in all his rulings. Mr. Wells said his two years ot office had been a very pleasant experience, through the co-operation of members and the assistance of the office staff. In welcoming three ne\Y members, Mr. A. N. Macky. Mr. W. I. Bowyer and Mr. C F. Collins, Mr. Wells paid a tribute to the work done by the three defeated members. Mr. 10. G. Purdie, Mr. F. C. Banks and Mr. J. Patterson, and a motion of appreciation of their services was passed. In a rc\ iew of the work of the board and the problems before it, for tho benefit of new* members, Mr. \\ ells mentioned that the board's annual income was £625,000, and there were 64,000 pupils on its rolls. Matters which had been giving the board considerable cause for thought were the urgent need for new schools, and for teachers' residences. Staffing in schools had been very much improved during the past year, owing to the large 11 umber of unemployed teachers who had been engaged under the rationing scheme. While the salaries of these teachers were very small, lie thought members of the board were agreed that the position was preferable to a considerable number of teachers having no positions.

The position in regard to unemployed teachers seemed to be improving, and he understood from th« J director of education, Mr: N. T. Lambourne, that it might be possible to reopen the training colleges earlier than had been expected, although nothing official was available at the moment.

In connection with the reduction of intermediate school courses from three to two years, the board had n<s objection where the school was attached to a senioi- school, but in the case of the Kowliai intermediate school, where this did not obtaiit, it was felt that the cutting down of the course was a very grave mistake. The board was pressing hard for additional manual training centres in country districts, especially at Opotiki, Te Puke and Waiuku. Mr. Wells said invaluable assistance had been given to the board by school committees. He paid a tribute to the work of teachers and inspectors. The following executive, was elected: —Messrs. W. J. Campbell, G. Brownlee, C. R. Munro, R. A. Rew. The chairman is a member ex officio.

TRAINING OF TEACHERS DEPARTMENTAL VIEWS SCHOOL SAVINGS BANKS It was reported by the chairman of the Auckland Education Board, Mr. T. U. Wells, at a.gp>fi§tine of the board yesterday, that from the Director of Education, Mr. N. T. Lambourne, that the board's suggestion that rather than reopen the Training College next year, the department should allow candidates for the teaching profession to serve for one year as probationers, so as to be ready to enter the Training College with a year's experience in 1936, not favoured. A letter was received from the department stating that the board's suggestion would receive careful consideration, but Mr, Wells said he did not think the representations on the matter would be successful. ' The department advised that it had approved of the establishment of the hard-of-hearing class at Newton East school as a special school under the immediate control of the board. The Postal Department submitted particulars of a new scheme for the establishment of school savings banks, and asked for the board's permission for a teacher on loan to the post office, to address pupils where the teacher in charge was agreeable to the scheme. A memorandum from the Education Department stated that the Minister, the Hon. R. Masters, commended the scheme for most favourable consideration. The matter was deferred until next meeting. A reply was received from the department to a complaint from the Northcote District High School Committee. that the claims of the school had been overlooked in the matter of attendance of pupils from the district. The department stated that there- was no regulation requiring pupils to attend the nearest secondary school 'to their places of residence. Recent correspondence with the Auckland Grammar School Board had been in connection with free school season railway tickets, which could not be issued unless pupils wtire attending the nearest school. CHAIRMAN IN OTAGO MB. J. WALLACE I lE-ELECTED [by TELEGRAPH —PItKSS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN. AVednesdnv At a meeting of the Otago Education Btfard to-day Mr. .James Wallace, who has been chairman for 16 years, was unanimously re-elected.