THE COUNTRY'S SYSTEM.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14840, 4 December 1913, Page 10

THE COUNTRY'S SYSTEM.

SUGGESTED CHANGES. AN IMPORTANT REPORT. (jPEcnx. to "the riiEss.") "WELLINGTON, December 3. The Education Committee of tho House of Representatives lias been engaged during the session in very serious consideration of the educational system of the country on the "order of reference" of preparing a report upon the findings of tho Education Commission as presented to the House on August 29th of last year. To-day the Committee, through its chairman, Mr G. M. Thomson, presented its report, which is a lengthy but concise treatment of the subject, and contains suggestions which will form the basis of legislation to be brought down next session. Tho Committee reports that it is in general agreement with many of the findings of tho Commission, but is of opinion that before they are given effect to by legislative enactment some of them require modification. For this reason the Committee deals seriatim with tho findings of the Commission. CONTROL OP EDUCATION. The Committee recommends, in the first place, the establishment of a Council of National Jlxlucation, representing all branches of education, as an advisory body to meet annually, and at Guch other times as the Minister may direct. Tho number of Education Boards, it says, should be reduced (say to eight or nine)- but the , Committee is not prepared to agree that they be reduced to five. The Education Boards should exercise control over all public primary education, and in regard to secondary and technical education the curriculum of any secondary school or technical school under separate managers should be subject to the approval of tho Boards. In order to secure suitable provision for the educational needs ot the district, and reasonable co-ordina-tion between the work of all the educational institutions in the district, Education Boards should consist of twelve members, nine to be elected by School Committees, as at present, one by the governing bodies of secondary schools, one by the Boarus of Managers of technical schools, and one by all the certificated teachers of the district. The Committee is not in favour of tho recommendations of the Commission upon School Boards and no evidence in support was adduced. It is recommended that the principle of the present School Committee system be retained. ADMINISTRATION. It is recommended that there should be a Dominion scale of salaries of inspectors in three grades, that a uniform rate of travelling allowances should bo paid, and that the number of inspectors to bo appointed in each education district should be subject to the approval of the Minister of Education. The present practice of handing over Native schools to the Education Boards should be continued. ,- The inspection of secondary schools, of free kindergartens, of manual, technical, and agricultural instruction should be retained in the hands of the Education Department, whicli should also have the control of, and responsibility for, the issue of railway passes for pupils and teachers. A simplification of returns is approved whe'ever possible. It is suggested that an officer or special qualifications should bo appointed to supervise the inspection and organisation of agricultural eduoation. . THE TEACHERS' LOT. Tho provision made by the Commission for tue training of teachers approved by'the Ctommittto. Candidates. ior appointment in secondary schools .ehouiu undergo ono year's training in a training college, but such training should not be made a condition of appointment. Since the Commission's report was drawn up, tho regulations have been amended to permit an increase of SO per cent, in the number of probationers, and to permit Education Boards to allot probationers to any approved school or Grade IV. or upwards. ■ The Government is asked to bring down a > comprehensive measure next 6ession dealing with teachers' salaries. The Committee recognises the value of classification, and is of the opinion that by conferences of Chief Inspectors the Boards will have available expert advice enabling them to grade teachers on a basis which will be of great value in appointments and promotions in each special district, will aid in transfers from one district to another, and will probably eventually lead to a Dominion scheme of grading. Tlte Committee dfeagre.es with the report of the Commissioners that twelve months' notice is necessary before the new regulations become ;onerative.