EDUCATION POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22818, 27 August 1937, Page 14

EDUCATION POLICY

REORGANISATION PLANS STATEMENT BY MINISTER THE QUESTION OF TEXT BOOKS CURTAILMENT OF HOMEWORK [bt TKLEcn.vrn—press association] | NEW PLYMOUTH, Thursday An important pronouncement regarding education policy matters —"the most important ever made by the Minister of Education to n Dominion conference of the/School Committees' Association," ' remarked the Dominion president, Mr. W. G. Black—was made in a telegram from the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Eraser, read at the association conference at New Plymouth last night. The message con- ! veys some of the Minister's inteni tions in the education programme. The Minister ivas to have addressed the conference, but expressed regret at his inability to do so, and forwarded certain facts of interest to the conference in lieu of an address. Mr. Eraser stated that school committee incidental expenses would be maintained at the present level, and that it was proposed to grade schools during 1938 on the average roll for the first four weeks of the third term, this year, and not on a percentage. Increased Boarding Allowance Other proposals and points mentioned by the Minister included: — (1) An increase in pupils' boarding allowance to Js 6d a week. (At present it is os.) (2) Consolidation of schools in suitable areas. (3) The special provision for sewing instruction in small country schools with a male teacher only will be continued. (4) An increase in- the grant for school libraries from £I2OO to £SOOO for the current year. (5) The school building programme will bo pushed forward as rapidly as possible. (6) Ground improvement schemes will bo promoted oil a larger scale than last year. (7) The department has decided to relieve school committees of a contribution for the installation of septic tanks. Substitute for Proficiency (8) A suitable primary school leaving certificate in lieu of the proficiency test is being prepared. (9) Provision for agricultural clubs is to be increased. (10) Additional provision will be made for kindergartens. (11) A commencement will be made with the appointment of vocational guidance officers. (12) Consideration is being given to the abolition of homework in primary schools and a considerable curtailment of homework in post-primary schools. (13) Training college students have been increased from 428 in 1935 to 1187 in 1936 and to 1360 this year. This will expedite the reduction in the size of classes. (14) Cancellation of the repayment of boarding allowance by 1933 and 1935 training college students lias been approved. Staffing and Salaries

(15) A committee, representing the department, the education boards and teachers, is considering staffing and salaries for primary schools. (16) A special committee is considering tho whole question of text books. (17) Three women supervisors of infant departments will be appointed. (18) The milk in schools scheme.up to the present includes 92,000 children, which is one-third of tho school population of the Dominion. (19) The number of dental nurses now being trained will enablc_ a considerable extension of the clinic service next year, and in subsequent years. (20) The reorganisation and unification of the education system are under consideration, and it is hoped that a plan will be submitted to Parliament during the coming session.