EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143785, 8 May 1912, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

CENTRALISATION OP SCHOOLS.

Per Press Association.

CIUUSTCUURCH, May 8. In the course of an interview to-day, the attention of the Minister of Education was drawn to the recommendations of South Canterbury school teachers at their meeting of Saturday last, relative to the centralisation of country schools. The Hon. J. A. Hanan Said that his predecessor had endeavoured to do what he could in that direction, but Mr. Powlds’.experience was exactly the same as Id’s own, namely, that he had to contend with very strong local opposition whenever it w r as proposed to closo a particular school. Ho quite recognised that centralisation would be less costly and would make for greater efficiency of instruction. The arguments advanced by the South Canterbury teachers were quite logical* hut ho was satisfied that any Minister of Education would meet with the greatest opposition, both in tho House and in tho country, if he tried to give effect to the policy of centralisation. Whh parents hostile to the closing of a school, it was possible, and even probable, that many children would bo deprived of the benefits of education if centralisation were adopted. Many of the children would be beyond the compulsory radiur, and therein lay a great difficulty. The outsider might think it would bo an easy thing to give effect to tho proposal macio by, both Mr. Eowlds and himself, but they had found ‘.hat thoro were real difficulties in the way.