SCHOOL PROBLEMS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17425, 25 November 1930, Page 6

SCHOOL PROBLEMS

COMMITTEES CONFER INFANT SCHOOL ESSENTIAL SKT’.Vi;ATIOX OF HIGH SCHOOLS Following upon an invitation issued by tlie Hawke’s Bay Education Board, through Air. T, A. Coleman, members of school committees throughout the district and representative's of the Gisborne High School hoard of governors met last evening to discuss alternative proposals drawn up by the Education Department for the better organisation of education in Gisborne. The chair was taken by’ Mr. Coleman, and the attendance indicated the existence of very keen interest in the problem raised by r the department.

The proposals placed before the school authorities for discussion were outlined in the following letter from the Education Department, read by the chairman:

“A proposal for the rebuilding of the infant school at Gisborne has been hold over pending a decision regarding the reorganisation scheme.

“The department is now considering the following courses: “(1) liebuilding the infant school in live rooms, leaving the postprimary’ school as it stands. “(2) Establishing two separate high schools, leaving the Gisborne School as it is.

“(3) Establishing two separate high schools, girls’ and boy’s’, giving each a technical side and letting cacti conduct evening classes, and attaching a junior high school section to each. “(4) Establishing a junior high school at the present Gisborne Central main school, and a new technical high school, leaving the present secondary school unchanged.” The meeting debated the alternatives at some length, and eventually it was agreed that the building of a new infant school at Gisborne Central should be pressed as essential. This agreement was embodied in the following resolution proposed by' Mr. J. S. Wauchop ami seconded by’ Air. G.j Crawshaw: “That an up-to-date infant school, preferably of the openair type, be built for the Gisborne Central School.”

On the question of secondary education, the meeting approved a further motion by Air. Wauchop, seconded by Air. H. 11. Do Costa, requesting the Al mister that two separate high schools, one for girls and the other for boys, each with facilities for technical education and the conducting of evening classes, be established in this district, and further suggesting that for the present, no junior high school be attached to' either the girls or boys’ high school.

The chairman stated that lie would convey the resolutions to the Hawke's Bay’ Education Board, and doubtless that body would put the requests before the' Minister at the first opportunity.