JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16780, 23 April 1926, Page 4

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

THE POSITION SN HAMILTON. DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. The claims of a junior high school for Hamilton arc being actively canvassed by members of school coinmil tees who are anxious to see the institution established here. Two years ago the Minister for Education, Sir James Parr, and the Director of Education, Mr J. Cauglcy, addressed meetings on the subject, and imparted a good deal of useful information to householders. There was lack of unanimity among Hie committees at the time, and the Minister’s promise that the establishment of a school in Hamilton would receive favourable consideration if there was a large body of public opinion in support ol' it, could not be fulfilled. No action lias been taken unlit lately, when inquiries were instituted in centres wiicre the seiiool has been in operation. So favourable lias been tlie, response lo those inquiries that committeemen of Hamilton are realising what tlie children of tlie town arc losing by not having such an institution in Hie town. The objection raised by teachers that t tic primary schools will suffer loss of status lias been dispelled by assurances from tji« authorities that, such will not be the case, while even if I here were a temporary loss in grading, it is felt tlu this would soon be recovered by the natural increase in tlie juvenile population. . Tlie advantages of the junior high seiiool in giving a much better education than can be obtained in the firth and sixth standards in the primary schools, tile improved disc P line that would follow Hie handling of pupils who have reached years of discretion, and Hie opportunity given for testing the occupation the children will be best fitted for when they leave school, are urged in favour o. the junior high school. It'is likely that the junior high school proposition will be the principal topic or discussion at the householders meetings on Monday evening.