POST-PRIMARY EDUCATION

Southland Times, Issue 25669, 11 May 1945, Page 4

POST-PRIMARY EDUCATION

WIDER PROGRAMME OF SCHOOLS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 10. The year 1944 had been most significant in education in New Zealand, particularly in the secondary field, said the Minister of Education, Mr Mason, addressing the annual conference of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Association. The findings of the post-primary conr- [ mittee had met with fairly complete agreement, and regulations were in train to put them into effect, he said. The conference which had been held in Christchurch had served a valuable purpose. One outcome was that £lOOO had been voted by the Government for refresher courses. He had seen the social studies course at work in Feilding and was convinced of its I value. He hoped that other similar courscs would be arranged in future. I The year had brought satisfaction in I the matter of salaries, said the Minister. Factors outside his control were reI sponsible for a delay in improving the staffing of schools. The supply of teachers was limited, but a committee was being set up to go into the question thoroughly. ACCREDITING SYSTEM I The year had also seen the beginning 'of the accrediting system. Though the number of candidates in the first year was small, he had little fear for the future. Where no accrediting secondary school was sufficiently close to the pupils’ secondary schools, boarding bursaries had been awarded. A total of 159 had been made available in 1944, and 15 special sciencq bursaries had also been awarded. The objective was the proper preparation of pupils fox - university study, and the responsibility was on the secondary schools. Because of the greater emphasis of science in modern life and the wider programme undertaken by the secondary schools, he had recommended special grants for equipment in science subjects, biology in particular. The secondary schools must serve a wdier purpose than formerly, and they were facing their tasks with enthusiasm and vigour. The provision of adequate buildings was a difficulty. Secondary school rolls throughout the country had increased and the raising of the school age had accentuated the problem. Prefabricated classrooms had given some ' relief, but they were only a temporary expedient and measures were being taken to erect permanent buildings as soon as possible. Shortage of labour and materials, not money, was the main reason for the delay.