SCHOOL CONTROL

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

SCHOOL CONTROL

COMMITTEES CONFER

FREE DENTAL TREATMENT PUBLIC SERVICE ENTRANCE [by telegraph—riiKss association] NEW PLYMOUTH, Thursday The business sessions of the conference of the New Zealand federation of School Committees' Associations was concluded to-day. Christehurch was selected as the venue of the next conference. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr. R. S. H. Buchanan (Christehurch); senior vice-president, Mr. W. H. Eortune (Auckland); junior vice-president, Mr. A. E. Morgan (West Coast); secretary and treasurer, Mr. T. Nuttall (Canterbury); Parliamentary Committee, Messrs. I'. H. Porter (chairman), J. Evfo and E. Miller (Wellington); Canterbury executive, Messrs. C. R. N. Mackic, E. Burgess, A. E. Thompson, G. H. Harrison and E. l'rebble; associate executive, Messrs. J. N. Preen (South Canterbury), J. Walker (Southland), A. E. Morgan (Wcstland), and the ltcv. V. Graham (Otago). Daylight Saving Question A remit suggesting that the time of daylight saving bo altered so that it commenced on the first Sunday of October and ended on the last Sunday in March evoked a difference of opinion. The labour problem on farms was advanced by country delegates as a reason for shortening the daylight saving period by a month. An amendment to the effect that in country districts it should be the prerogative of school committees to open school at 9.30 a.m. during the period of daylight saying was carried. Among remits affirmed were those urging that the size of classes be limited to 35; that the Education Department be urged to undertake a system of modernising the furniture and equipment in primary schools; and that the appointment o"f teachers be made, as from the beginning of each school year. It was decided that the Government bo urged to revert to the original system of freo dental treatment and that travelling dental clinics bo provided in.country districts. Leaving Certificate The conference supported a remit from the West Coast to the effect that the school leaving certificate "be adopted as the standard of attainment for entrance to the Public Service and all other professions where a university degree is not necessary. If a board of inspectors of the Education Department were to set examination papers for the certificate it would obviate the high fees charged by the university authorities, and the requirements of the majority of the pupils receiving secondary education would be met. The conference adopted an Auckland remit suggesting that swimming instruction be included in the school curriculum and that, where possible, practical instruction be given in life-saving and artificial respiration. Where facilities were not available, land drill should be given. The movement for the introduction of visual education into primary schools was wholeheartedly supported. ' It was decided to ask the Education _ Department to'consider making provision for suitable instruction by wireless. Greater attention, it was considered, should be given in all schools to the teaching of oral English.