AMALGAMATION.

Wairarapa Age, 1 October 1930, Page 5

AMALGAMATION.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—“Live and Let Live’s” contribution is opportune-. What is the High School to gain by amalgamation! Absolutely nothing, but it must undoubtedly suffer from the combined curriculum drawn up to suit a technical high school. Already commercial subjects, that rightly belong to the Technical School, are being taught, much to the detriment of an aesthetically cultural course of study which the Wairarapa High School should aim to develop. What Masterton undoubtedly wants is the untrammeled development of a Technical School providing instruction for pupils preparing to x enter commercial and induptrial pursuits. Had the members of the Secondary Education Board adequately administered the affairs of each school, they would have striven to give each a distinctive educational bias. There is ample need for both types of school in Masterton and since the Trust Lands Trust is to pour out thousands of pounds to assist education, we have a right to some special consideration from the Education Department. Professor Hunter says that we are apt to get too stereotyped in our educational facilities and that different types of schools are essential. Quite true. Theil give the High School a chance to develop an academic course for which there is already a considerable demand. This would not mean << learning o merely—far from it. There seems to be a, considerable confusion in the definition of manual and of technical tuition.

I note that at the recent conference between board and Minister, the chairman called attention to the fact that at the meeting of those in favour of a separate Technical School, Mr. Robinson was unable to move an adverse motion. Mr. Jordan could, had he so desired, have gone a little deeper and admitted that when Mrs. Barrer, in December, 1926, held a meeting to explain her amalgamation proposals, he was in the chair and declined a request that a vote be taken on the question. Obviously, the proposal would have been defeated and since then a somewhat silent “minority o has been sedulously working to attain its object. Like your correspondent, I h«»vo not met one parent of a High School pupil —other than the several members of the board—who desires amalgamation. Give each school a chance. We have the money and can make Masterton renowned for the diversity and excellence of its educational facilities.—l am, etc.,

“PROGRESS.”