EDUCATION MATTERS

Southland Times, Issue 19690, 24 October 1925, Page 4

EDUCATION MATTERS

SOUTHLAND BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. Mr. Hugh Smith (chairman) presided at the monthly meeting of the Southland Education Board yesterday morning, Messrs A. Bain, S. Rice, J. D. Trotter, A. W. Jones, J. C. Thomson, M.P.. and G. Johnson also attending,. MEDICAL OFFICER’S REPORT. Dr. Collier's (medical officer) report stated: Many encouraging reports have been received from schools with reference to goitre treatment. Goitres were much reduced in size, the improvement being very noticeable. Improvements were also reported in dental matters at Waituna, Mabel, Waimatua, Oteramika, Limestone Plains, Fairfax, Scott’s Gap, Waimumu, Wiki Bush and Round Hill while Gorge Road maintained its former high standard. There was an improvement at Tuatapere and Orepuki, but the services of a dentist were urgently needed. In addition, this month immunisation from diphtheria had been commenced at Waihopai and North Schools. Thirty-one schools had been inspected during the month. A few cases of child labour, and of what appeared to the officer as neglect on the part of the guardians, were investigated and the cases reported to Mr McCarroll, of the Child Welfare Department. One little boy of nine years of age in a certain country district was too tired to do his work in school, and on inquiry it was found that he had farm work to do, horses to feed and cows to attend to before leaving for school in the mornings. This case was being looked into. The first of three injections of toxin anti-toxin had been administered to 165 children at Invercargill North school and 130 at Waihopai, and all are well. —The report was considered very satisfactory and received. SCHOLARSHIPS. After a general discussion on the proposed alterations in the award of scholarships as contained in the department’s circular, the board resolved as follows: 1. That the board is of the opinion that special scholarships are necessary in postprimary schools. 2. That in their place free books should be provided for selected pupils who do not need to reside away from home to attend a secondary school, and boarding allowances, with free books, to selected pupils who need to do so. 3 It was suggested that funds might be established out of which free loans in aid [of board might be made to pupils, the same being repayable by instalments out of their first earnings. 4. Award and control of free boarding allowances, and free books (hereinafter called scholarships) should remain as at present. 5. That with the present system of Junior National and Senior National Scholarships continues the age for a Junior Scholarship be 13 years 0 months, and the age for a Senior Scholarship 15 years Omonths. 6. That the accrediting scholarships system was not desirable. 7. Special courses apparently can be considered only if an accrediting system is adopted. 8. It was suggested that a junior card record be instituted in primary schools similar to that used in secondary schools, and that such card, when complete, be the equivalent of a proficiency certificate. 9. The concession to pupils in small schools should be 10 per cent., as at present. 10. The place of tenure should be the nearest school of secondary rank offering a suitable course. The duration of the scholarship should be three yean? in the junior course and three years in the senior course, subject to satisfactory reports quarterly on conduct and diligence. 11. It is considered that a Trust Fund supplementing scholarships might assist in providing successively the assistance required by promising pupils to enable them to complete courses leading to various professions and callings. 12. It was also suggested that a larger number of scholarships at the University stage should be available in the engineering, dental, and other faculties of like character at the University. At present the arts and science faculties have too large a proportion of scholarships. 13. A territorial quota set by the Department would limit the granting of boarding allowances. 14. It was considered inadvisable that any poverty clause should be attached to the award of scholarships; and it was recommended that privately endowed scholarships should within limits, be tenable with State scholarships. GENERAL. The reebmmendations of the executive committee in connection with general matters affecting the board were adopted.