JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3915, 26 March 1929, Page 78

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS.

OPPOSITION IN SOUTHLAND.

INVERCARGILL, March 20.

This afternoon a deputation from the Gore and Invercargill School Commit; tees’ Association waited upon the Minis? ter of Education (Mr H. Atmore) with reference to the proposed introduction in Southland of junior high schools. Mr A. Jones, retiring president of the South Island Federation of School Committees’ Asoeiations, briefly explained the objects of the deputation. There was a feeling existing, he said, that the proposal in? volved compulsory mass transference of Standards V and VI pupils from pri? mary schools to junior high schools, and the federation was of the opinion that that would have a weakening effect upon the primary schools. The opinion was held generally that the introduction" of the junior high school system was too costly an experiment for the country to indulge in. .If Standards V and VI were removed from the primary schools q. glorified kindergarten would be left. Mr Jones stated that the federation felt that if any extra money was available for educational purposes it should be utilised in the many avenues offered by the pri.mary schools.

Mr D. Dickie, speaking on behalf of the district of Gore and the Southland branch of the Farmers’ Union, said that their opinion was summed up in the foL lowing resolution passed by the. execiv tive of the union:—“That we strongly oppose the introduction of any educational system of method that will have the effect of weakening our primary schools or that will result in any curtailment of their functions; that as the general introduction of junior high school on the lines proposed will inevitably have this effect, we must oppose the introduction of the system. Further, that the difficulties arising in the transfer of pupils from primary to secondary schools should be overcome by an amendment of the syllabus of the secondary schools as well as that of the primary.

The Minister, in reply, said that he was pleased to have met them as so many misconceptions existed as to the need for alterations. Objections were raised to any alterations in the primary system, but a radical change was necessary as the interests of the great mass of the children were concerned. He had been in touch with education for a long time in all its forms. The cost was citeed as a principal objection to the introduction of junior high schools. If it were desired in Southland that no change should be made the matter would be held over to a later date. It was obvious, however, that some change was necessary. In the North Island he was besieged with applications for junior high schools, so that it was difficult to understand the attitude of those who were against any change. New Zealand was at present behind the Old Country in matters of education, although for some time previoully it had led.- The people were paying for post-primary education to-day, and although tlie notion was gaining the country people were not getting the benefits they should get if a change were made. The matter of cost in connection with the introduction of junior high schools had been gone into carefully, and the last report he received stated that the entire cost of the new system would be found to be negligible. The Minister stated that many who formerly were bitter opponents of the scheme were now amon» its heartiest supporters. The president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union had said that Mr Atmore was the right man in the right position because he was endeavouring to introduce junior high schools.

Mr Jones thanked Mr Atmore for his address, but stated that, personally, he had not been convinced by it.