MINISTER REPLIES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 683, 9 February 1933, Page 11

MINISTER REPLIES.

School Committees’ Remits Discussed™

The ministerial attitude to remits passed at the National Conference of School Committees’ Associations was revealed at the meeting of the Canterbury School Committees’ Association last evening, at which Mr S. R. Evxson presided. A letter from the Minister of Education dealt with the remits passed at the recent national conference and submitted to him. With regard to the school book contract, that, the letter stated, had been the subject of investigation. The present contract was a sound one, which had already proved of benefit. The age limit of six years for entry into schools did not impose a hardship. The previous average age of entry was five years and five months, so there was little difference. Though the Economy Commission had advocated the abolition of Grade O schools, the Department was dealing with each case on its merits. Several Grade O schools had been started since the recommendation was made. The reduction of boarding allowances was an economy measure and could not be altered under the present economic conditions. The same argument applied to transport allowances. School staffing was carried out strictly according to regulation. At the present time there was no chance of relaxation. The letter was received.