A delicate matter

The Minister of Education has described the Involvement of pupils in college newspapers as a "delicate matter".

The Hon. A. E. Kinsella was writing in reply to a letter from Bruce Preston, secretary of the Student Action Committee on Secondary Schools.

He said: "I'm not quite sure what reforms your group intends lo discuss but I would hope that the many developments over recent years in secondary education are not overlooked—developments affecting curriculum, buildings, training of teachers end implementing of most of the important recommendations of the Commission on Education.

"It is important also to keep (n mind that not only In New Zealand but in most countries in the world secondary education has had to face demands of industry and commerce for graduates, Increasing needs of tertiary education for qualified staff, end various problems associated with increasing secondary school rolls.

"The involvement of pupils in college newspapers is a delicate mattes. It should be understood that when parents send their children to school they place them in the charge of the controlling authority of the school for the purpose of education. While pupils are in their charge teachers are in loco parentis to them.

"This is a different set of circumstances from what will exist later when pupils leave school and make their own way in the world.

"The controlling authority of the school is responsible to the parents for all activities during the school day and therefore must decide on the degree of pupil participation in the type of movement you suggest.

"Yours sincerely,

A. E. Kinsella, Minister of Education."