THE FIVE-YEAR-OLDS.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 19622, 1 February 1936, Page 2

THE FIVE-YEAR-OLDS.

RE-ADMISSION ON MONDAY.

Head Teachers Advised.

CIRCULAR FROM BOARD. LOCAL ACCOMMODATION AMPLE. With the approach of the new school year the question of re-ad-mission of the live-year-old is occupying the minds of many parents who have children eligible for admission to primary schools in the Thames district. A circular from ihe Auckland Education Board has been received by headmasters of Thames schools, and includes a copy of a letter from the actingDirector of Education in reference to the re-admission of the younger children, the main text of which is as follows: — “It has been decided to re-admit to public schools children who have reached the age of live years, wherever this can be done without unduly overcrowding the schools. “To prevent overcrowding, Education Boards will submit proposals tor hiring halls, or, in cases where it is obvious that there has been a shifting of the school population, readjust school boundaries, or limit the attendance in accordance Avith Section 19 of the Education Amendment Act, 1924. “Where there still remians difficulty in accommodating all the five-year-olds, preference should be given to the oldest. No pupil, once enrolled, however, should be displaced. Schools, if necessary, should keep waiting lists.

“As soon as possible after April 1 next, the Board should regrade any school whose increased attendance warrants this step.” The Board's letter points out that committees and head teachers Avill recognise that in certain cases inconvenience in respect of accommodation and staffing Avill be unavoidable at the commencement of the term. The Board Avill, hoAvever, afford relief to the most urgent cases. It is also stated that the number of teachers available for employment as additional assistants is very much reduced. So far as the three Thames schools arc concerned, there Avill bo no difficulty in regard to the accommodation of the extra pupils expected in consequence of the readmission of the five-year-olds.