THE DISCUSSION

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16506, 6 August 1919, Page 5

THE DISCUSSION

In reply to Mr. Stratford, Mr. Moyes said that a higher standard of proficiency certificate would help considerably in t’ne work of a high school. There was u gap between the primary and secondary schools which should bo bridged. ’this applied to pupils from tlie preparatory department of tho school as well as tho primary school, and was not tho fault of the teacher. Ho thought a conference between tho teachers of the primary and secondary schools so as to eii'ect co-ordination, 'would bo beneficial. Mr. .Stratford said that he felt that a hotter foundation might be laid upon which to build supeistructuro, and tho primary school teachers would bo pleased to meet dir. Moves and discuss the matter. In reply to Mr. Dolby. Mr. Moyes said they should get a better percentage of boys from the town. Of 120 new boys, there were only .52 came from tho town. Then, too, many of tho town boys only remained at the school a few months. Air. Johnstone (Fitzrcy) said that the crux cl the question was that many parents could not afford to keep their j boys nfc a secondary school, and many only did so at considerable sacrifice. There should be a fund from which parents could bo assisted and so save many of the brightest brains to the country. Mr. Mores said that the Government should be urged to take the matter up. Tho chairman considered that primary school committees should interest themselves in having secondary or technical education made compulsory. It was said that the education system was in the molting pot, but at present only portions of it were. He thought tho whole of it should be. Ho hoficd that very .soon it would he compulsory to send children to secondary or technical schools up to the ago of 17. and that some system would be adopted to help parents who could not afford this. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Moyes for his valuable address.