SCHOOL ENTRY AGE

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1932, Page 3

SCHOOL ENTRY AGE

RAISING TO SIX YEARS.

“WILL NOT SUFFER ONE lOTA.” Contending that no injury, either edu-. cational or physical, would result from raising the permissive school entry age. from five years to six, the Minister of •. Education, the Hon. R. Masters, sought to justify that decision when speaking at the opening of the Otahuhu Junior High School on Wednesday. The question was first raised by Mr. C. R. Petrie, chairman of the school committee, who paid a tribute to the Minister for the tactful way in which he had carried out the educational economies, , but expressed regret at the loss of the five-year-old children from the schools. “I know this decision has not. been very popular,” said Mr. Masters, in referring to the question later. “In fact, some ladies have spoken to me about it, not in a very kindly way. I have usually asked them: ‘Do you think the child is going to suffer, either educationally or from a health point of view in consequence?’ In nine cases out of ten the reply has been: ‘But he is such a nuisance at home, and we want to get rid of him.’ Honestly, I think that is the main objection in most cases.” The remark provoked laughter, above which was heard a woman’s call: ‘Quite wrong.” The Minister said the effect on the number of teachers employed had been mentioned. He pointed out that normally 560 teachers retired each year. It was not possible to make any difference in the grades of schools this year, as grading was based on the previous, year’s attendance, and it would be possible, to make only very small alterations next year. In addition, he did not intend to put any teachers into training colleges next year. Having those factors in mind, he did not think the change of policy ■ regarding school age would be unsatisfactory from the teachers’ point of view. .

In further justification of the; change the Minister detailed the results of an investigation made into the careers of 13,000 children, from four years of age upward, whose progress had been followed from the time of entering school until the proficiency examination had been passed. The average times spent at school were as follow: Entering at four years, 8 years 11 months; five years, 8 years 1 month; six years, 7 years 6 months; seven years, 7 years 2 months; eight years, 6 years 7 months. “I contend, in view of those figures, which cannot be challenged, that educationally the children will not suffer one iota,” said the Minister. “Nine medical men out of ten say that children will enjoy better health by starting school at six.”