GRADE O SCHOOLS

Southland Times, Issue 21849, 28 October 1932, Page 7

GRADE O SCHOOLS

NOT TO BE CLOSED. MINISTER’S ASSURANCE. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, October 27. In view of the fact that considerable inconvenience would have been caused in the backblocks of Southland if the Education Department carried out the recommendations of the National Expenditure Commission and closed Grade 0 schools, Mr P. A. de la Perrelle (C., Awarua) recently approached the Minister of Education on the subject and has now been assured by letter that these schools will not be closed so long as the attendance averages five. “I am sure it will interest the public to know that the Minister writes that since the recommendation of the Commission was made several Grade 0 schools have been established by the department and this fact shows that notwithstanding the necessity for economy the interests of the children are of paramount importance.” The Minister also stated that the Government was not unmindful of the difficulties confronting backblock settlers and was anxious to help them to secure proper schooling for their children. With this object in view no Grade 0 schools would be closed as long as attendance did not fall below five.