SEXES SEPARATED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 494, 1 July 1932, Page 5

SEXES SEPARATED.

Whangarei High School Classes. OPPOSITION BY INSPECTORS.; (Special t 6 the " Star.”) WHANGAREI, July 1. The fact that the separation of the sexes in school had been criticised by the secondary school inspectors, was reported by the principal of the Whangarei High School, Mr A. R. Ryder, to the board of governors. Mr Ryder expressed his conviction that the alteration was a good one. Unfortunately, the junior school staff was a teacher short, there being seven teachers and eight forms. Consequently it was without a permanent teacher/and the difficulty could not be overcome under the present ciicumstances. The inspectors contended that the higher classes had been weakened by the change. Hitherto the forms had been lIA and 118. Now all the boys were placed in one form. The inspectors were of opinion that under this arrange ment as good a standard could not be niched and there would be a marked aegre-c of difference in ability in the form. The Chairman (Mr Rishworth) : Will not this have the effect of inducing the boys who would normally be in B form to work harder? Mr Ryder: Yes; and teachers can divide .the boys within a class. This means harder work, but not so hard as that which faced the master who previously had a B form. The system is working very well in other schools, and I feel sure that it will turn out satistorily.” The matter was deferred until the inspectors’ report is received.