EDUCATION SYSTEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22318, 16 January 1936, Page 10

EDUCATION SYSTEM

"HERITAGE OF DEPRESSION" RETURN OF FIVE-YEAR-OLDS GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS [hy tkTjEGrami—press association] HASTINGS. Wednesday "Tlio New Zealand education system is suffering from the heritage of the economic depression," said the Minister of Education, Hon. P. Eraser, in addressing members of the Ilawko's Bay Education Board on a number of education matters brought to his notico during his visit, to the district. Discussing the question of the readmission of the five-year-olds to tho schools, the Minister said there would be little difficulty on the score of accommodation, but in some instances accommodation was in one locality and the children were in another. An investigation into tho position was therefore necessary. Tho Government's decision that five-year-olds would be readmitted still stood as far as intention, desire and honesty of purpose were concerned. The Minister also referred to the need for an accurate survey of the educational needs of the country as a whole, lie emphasised the importance of added knowledge on the question of consolidating schools, for which lie had received a number of requests. Tie said also that one of tho most encouraging features in national life was the interest taken by parents in school dental schemes. However, the question of how far tho Government could go in providing assistance had to be faced.

On the subject of manual training, tho Minister said ho did not think there was such a division between mental and manual training as some people suggested. He gave an assurance that the question of manual training would be considered equally with the whole education system and that everything possible for its development would be done.