EDUCATION BILL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21001, 1 April 1938, Page 8

EDUCATION BILL

GAIN TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS MR J. W. PREEN'S VIEWS An outline of the Education Amendment Bill, particularly as it affects South Canterbury, was presented to the quarterly meeting of the Prlmarv Schools Committees’ Association at Glen-iti last night by Mr J. W. Preen, chairman of the Canterbury Education Board. The meeting was presided over by Mr C. Morse. Mr Preen said that there were many things in the Bill which affected primary schools more than secondary schools. The main proposal was the abolition of the present Education Board districts, which would mean a Board for South Canterbury. An organisation such as was in operation some years ago would give schools in South Canterbury closer contact with Education headquarters. There was some doubt about the actual constitution of the new board, but it appeared that the district would be divided into two areas, which would be the basis of representation. The inner area would be determined by a circle round Timaru with a 15-mile radius. The proposals for election to the Board had not been revealed, but it was inci ited that election would be by the school councils. These councils would be elected by votes of parents. Whether the vote would be confined to those who had children at schools or to householders had not been made clear, but if the former system was adopted it would lead to much dissatisfaction as parents who had children about to start school would have no voice, while those with children leaving school would have a vote. The Board would be constituted of representatives from primary and post primary schools, and teachers. In the district there would be 135 schools, including the Asburton secondary schools and the Waimate and Geraldine High Schools. The Timaru Technical College with 668 pupils, would have two representatives, one from the council and one from the teachers, and the Timaru High Schools, with 767 pupils would have similar representation. Primary schools would have one representative for every 3000 pupils, and secondary schools one for every 2000. Benefit to Primary Schools “I think primary schools are on a better footing than secondary schools,” said Mr Preen. “It is probable that we will get a greater incidental grant and that greater powers will be bestowed upon us.” It had been said that the proposals were revolutionary, but most of them were embodied in the Atmore report. The system was not based exactly on the English one where schools were financed by rating. Allocations would still come from the general fund. It appeared that one of the main factors that recommended the Bill was its part in unifying the various branches of education. It was recognised that there was a severe breach btween primary and secondary schools. “The hearts of many pupils have been broken because, after a successful period at primary school, they have gone to secondary schools and could not adapt themselves to the new conditions,” said Mr Preen.

There was no doubt, continued the speaker, that the High Schools Boards would receive a severe blow as they wnuld lose their endowment. They had built up their own organisation and possibly they knew best how the schools could be run.

Another very Important proposal was the raising of the schcol age to 15. Most industrial awards started their wage scales at 16 and it was desirable that in this there should be co-operation. With increased leisure it was desirable that education should be widened to teach people to enjoy leisure. “From anything I can see in the Bill we are not going to lose—indeed we will gain a good deal —in power, organisation, and finance,” said Mr Preen. “These proposals are long overdue, and we who have an intimate knowledge of education affairs can accord them the welcome they deserve.” he said. An Important Factor Mr F. Ward, in congratulating Mr Preen on his review, said that unification of the branches of education was the most important factor in the Bill. Anything that could be done to make the child pass through his school life progressively would be a great benefit to educational organisation. The opinion that too much was made of the step from primary to secondary school was expresesd by Mr E. Laverty. He had watched closely the progress of four boys and could say that there was no difficulty in the change over. “Indeed.’’ said Mr Laverty, “these boys find they hava their work at high school easier than during the last year at primary.” This assertion was supported by Mr H. W. Lomas, who said his observations had convinced him that pupils experienced little difficulty in changii„ over.

“Of course the views I expressed are generally held,” said Mr Preen. ‘I have no doubt that pupils accommodate themselves to new conditions very readily, but it is generally believed that pupils’ school lives are set back by the change.”

After a short discussion it was decided that in view of the vagueness of some of the proposals, the School Committees Federation be requested to investigate the Bill fully, in the absence of concrete grounds for discussion. "We can trust the Federation to see that we get a square deal,” commented Mr Morse.