SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 78, 28 June 1928, Page 5

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

TARANAKI ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The aiinuaf conference of the Taranaki Schiol Committees Association was held in Stratford this afternoon, when the following report was pier sented: — Interest in the affairs of the association was well maintained. Sixtyfive committees had paid their (affiliation fees, compared with 62 last year, the .balance-sheet showed a. credit of £37 3s 3d, compared with £3l 17a 10|dl in 1927The past year had been a quiet one, interest being mainly centred in the work of the committee set up to revise the syllabus. The committee had completed its work, and the syllabus was being discussed hiy teachers before its (adoption 1 for general use. The sub-committee appointed at the last annual conference to consider the question of amending the regulations so as to provide that e payment of capitation should be based on the roll number instead of on the average attendance went carefully into the question but reported later thtat no advantage would be gained by alter-1 ing the present system. :

At the last conference a remit was passed oppdsing the centralisation of administration as inimical to education) in the Dominion. Probably as the result of the 'action taken by this and other associations the question of centralisation liad been dropped for the time hieing, but there was always the danger that it would be brought up again. The executive had continued its endeavours to have the Dominion Federation resuscitated and a forward move in this direction had been made. A conference was held in AVelUngton, and a s the outcome it was unanimously decided to form a North Island and a South Island federation, with representatives from each oh. anational council of federated committees. The executive wish to thank Mr Smith for his active and intelligent interest in the matter, and on receipt of hi s report it was resolved to link up with the federation. So far, however, nothing has been done, but it is expected that notification of the annual meeting will be received hny It was pleasing to note that dental clinics had been extended in Tarar naki and it was hoped that the movement would be extended so as to ensure that every child attending school, whether in town or in <*>«ntry, would receive benefitAmong matters that had engaged the attention of the execute during the vear was the important one of smaller classes, which it was fc» wou ld tend to give greater educational facilities to the child. Now that there appeared to be a surphis „ f teachers 'available *• *££ \L colleges, the time should be opporZl ' to Introduce this much-needed was pleased to note the interest being taken, in the country schoo s inc of swimming, ana the assistance that is being given by the sW imming aviation. Appreciation of *ne * „ v : 1 i „r +Vip TiranaKi (riven by members oi tne u l ?-,!,• bv the secretary, Education lioaro, oy »™ Mr H W. Insull, and the officials of the hoard, and b,; tne senior inspector Mr N- R- McKetrtw, nsnd ltlis colleague,, was expressed and tribute paid to the work of the aecre tfcry of the association, Mr 1- OHAvery.