School a Failure.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20359, 17 July 1934, Page 6

School a Failure.

Dear Sir,—l was not surprised to read in Fridav’s 44 Star ” that the Intermediate School at West Christchurch was a failure. Mr Lambourne, Director of Education, addressing members of the school commits tees in Christchurch on June 11. made the following statement (as reported in the 44 Star ” of July 12) : 44 The department has never forced reorganisation in any district, and I don’t think it has any intention of doing so.” ’ I can say without fear of contradiction, that this new scheme was forced on the West Christchurch district. The householders were never consulted by the school committee, not even after petitioning the chairman demanding a public meeting. There was a large meeting of householders held at the Addington School to discuss the proposals of the new scheme. This meeting developed into a meeting of protest against anv interference with the present system. Then again at the annual meeting of householders at the Sydenham School they decided in having no interference with their present school system.

To prove further the unpopularity of this new scheme, Mr Kirk, secretary of the Education Board, made the following statement : 44 Some time ago the Sydenham School absorbed quite a number of the primary pupils from the West Christchurch School, when the latter was turned into an intermediate school,.and few of the pupils are returning to West Christchurch—as it was intended they should do when the intermediate school was mooted.” In conclusion, I would like to point out to the West Christchurch and Addington School Committees that there is a much more urgent need for a primary school in this district instead of secondary schools. I think the Milne Street proposal should be allowed to drop and we should restore West Christchurch to its old status, thus giving the children the same opportunity as other children of attending a school in their own district. The question of aptitudes seems to be one of the greatest arguments in favour of this new system, and I am sure this question can be better decided on by the pupils’ parents.—l am, etc-. „ . _ J.M.K.