CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS

Southland Times, Issue 23795, 18 April 1939, Page 7

CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS

DECISIONS GIVEN BY PARENTS PROTEST BY EDUCATION BOARD (United Press Association) NELSON, April 17. Describing as illogical the present policy of allowing parents of school children to decide the question of the consolidation of schools the Nelson Education Board decided to point out the present position to the Minister of Education (the Hon. P. Fraser) and explain ' what the board considers is a ridiculous situation which has arisen over the proposal to consolidate the Black’s Point School with Reefton. The board has for some time been anxious to provide better school facilities for the Black’s Point children, who, in the words of the chairman, the Hon. W. H. Mclntyre, have the worst conditions of any school in the board’s district. The Black’s Point School is only one and a-half miles from Reefton and the board has been unanimous in its opinion that it should be consolidated with Reefton by transporting the children to the larger centre. However, it has been the policy of the Minister of Education not to enforce the consolidation in any case where a majority of the parents is not favourable. When the board visited the West Coast the chairman and senior inspector, Mr G. Overton, with Mr C. F. Skinner, M.P. for Motueka, met the Black’s Point parents and emphasized the advantages which would accrue from consolidation in preference to erecting a new building to replace the present old unsuitable school, at such a short distance from a larger centre at the Reefton District High School. The parents were advised to give full consideration to the matter and present a petition for submission to the Minister. At today’s meeting of the board advice was received that the parents had expressed their wishes, resulting as follows:

In favour of new school 39. In favour of consolidation one.

The chairman said that Black’s Point had the worst conditions of any school in the Nelson Education District. After today the board would take no responsibility for the children being taught in the old school. If the Minister would not consolidate in view of the parents’ decision, then the board wanted a new school. Mr F. A. Hamilton: Should the board not voice its disapproval of the policy of parents making the decision on the question of consolidation. The chairman: The Black’s Point case shows the fallacy of the policy. Mr J. H. Harkness: We should say that we want consolidation and ask that the board be able to decide the matter, if in its opinion and that of the senior inspector, it is considered in the best interests of education.

Mr F. A. Carling: We could draw the attention of the Minister to the absurdity of the position. It was decided that the board should draw the attention of the Minister to the illogical position as the result of the question of consolidation being decided by the parents and point out that the Black’s Point proposal is a glaring example cf the ridiculous position.