Education

Whanganui Educational Advancement Committee The Whanganui Educational Advancement Committee, a very active organisation concerned with the encouragement of education amongst the children of the Whanganui district, was first established more than three years ago. At that time a number of people in the district, feeling that the basic cause of the difficulties facing our young people was a lack of education, determined to take positive steps to improve the situation in their area. In March 1961 Mr W. Herewini, Controller of Maori Welfare, speaking at a meeting at Putiki, discussed the newly-printed Hunn Report and some of the implications of the information the Report made available. Mr A. Williams, Adult Education Tutor, asked, ‘Would it not be a wise move to set up an advisory committee or group for the encouragement of education amongst our Maori children?’ The Controller applauded this idea, and so the seed was planted. Impact of Hunn Report Following on from this, a discussion group organised by The Adult Education Centre made an intensive study of the contents of the Hunn Report. Feeling the impact of the Report, the group called a general meeting of interested Maori and Pakeha to decide on the best way of forming an advisory committee to assist in the furtherance of the education of the Maori children in the area. It was at this meeting that the Whanganui Educational Advancement Committee was formed. The elders of the community were consulted, and supported this young action group in its inception. Link Between School and Parent It is the aim of the Maori members of the committee to act as a link between the school and parents, attempting to promote the furtherance of continued education and assisting parents to place children in suitable employ- Mr Mete Kingi Takarangi, M.B.E., a highly respected elder of Putiki, Wanganui, is the Patron of the Whanganui Educational Advancement Committee. Ans Westra photo One of the many young people who have worked hard on the committee is Mr Te R. K. Bailey, treasurer. His wife, Patricia, is secretary of the group.