ACTION URGED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23318, 29 September 1945, Page 4

ACTION URGED

Reduction In Size Of Classes Education Vote Discussed (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 28. In the House this alternoon, speaking to the vote of £6,285.882 for the Education Department, Mr M. H. Oram 'National. Manawatu) said it was strange that if the Government strongly favoured a reduction of the size of classes it had not done more about the matter. In spite of war handicaps, the Government had done less than it could have to redeem its promises in this direction. He asked the Minister to consider the opening of a fifth training college, preferably in conjunction with one of the agricultural colleges. Mr T. H. McCombs (Government, Lyttelton): At Lincoln? Mr Oram: I think it is coming to Massey College, but I am not parochial about it. Mr Oram said that rural education was of such importance to New Zealand that the provision of a training college associated with an agricultural college was fully warranted. He also advocated the increasing of agricultural high schools to three in the North Island and two in the South IslandCountry Schools Mi- F. Langstone (Government, Waitomo) criticised “the mean, miserable, parsimonious” policy of the Department and education boards toward country schools. The King s English, he said, did not describe the miserableness with which country schools were treated. Their capitation did not even provide for the efficient cleaning of school buildings. If he had his way he would abolish education boards. They were the fifth wheel in the coach. The Hon. H. G. R. Mason said there had been excellent progress concerning the transport of country children, while country schools were given priority as far as possible in the provision and care of buildings. Building materials had been unprocurable for nearly two years during the war. Mr Langstone: There has been enough luxury building for a dozen schools of the kind we want. Mr Mason said the problem of school accommodation and the achievement of smaller classes had been accentuated by the increase in the birthrate. Mr W. Sullivan (National, Bay of Plenty): Particularly in country disMr Mason recalled that this Government had reopened the training colleges which had been closed and had trained additional teachers. There were between 800 and 900 teachers in the Services and not until they returned to the profession could smaller classes be achieved. Mr H. E. Combs (Government. Wellington Suburbs) said he considered it was high time a technical forestry school was established to combat erosion and give instruction in silviculture. He also felt that in the Department’s building programme reasonable provision should be made for residences for headmasters and their families. Absenteeism Mr R M. Algie (National, Remuera) asked the Minister if he would give serious consideration to the question of absenteeism in schools. There were 70 000 pupils on the rolls in Auckland, and possibly as many as 10,000 would be absent in a single day. He wondered if the Minister could do anything to dissuade teachers who sought promotion by transfer, and suggested that all teachers be graded and paid accordingly so that they could stay in the same position. It was a big problem and one which would take years to overcome. The Hon. E. T. Tirikatene suggested that the time was opportune to establish a Maori and Polynesian University chair. There were only a few Maoris alive to-day who could do justice to such a position, and he referred to the capabilities of Sir Apirana Ngata and Dr. Peter Buck. Mr A J Murdoch (National, Marsden) asked for the Minister’s assur- ■ ance that he would agree to a reduction in classes to enable teachers to give of their best. Mr S. G. Holland said he had received complaints from school cleaners that they were ineligible for the increased rate of payment of 31d an hour. They had been reclassified as cleaners and not caretakers. He asked that the injustice be removed. Mr Mason promised to take up wxtn the Department the variotxs points raised by members. The vote was passed and also votes of £443.528 for the Public Trustees Account and £1,205.000 for education bU The "House rose at 5.30 p.m until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday.