THE NEW EDUCATION BOARDS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2574, 23 September 1915, Page 3

THE NEW EDUCATION BOARDS

■ANXIETY ABOUT THE BOUNDARIES REPORT. . Some anxiety is entertained by members of the teaching profession with regard to the new education districts, for rreasons which are expressed in the following circular -which has been sent . out by toe; New Zealand Educational Institute:-— "The Education Aot of 1914 provides for the reduction of the number of. districts to not less than seven or more than nine, the exact number to be de-termined-.by:, a- Royal Commission. -This Commission has * submitted its report, which will be laid before Parliament rhis session. ~ Parliament, by the passing'of the Act, committed itself to the reduction, but. there is - reason to fear that- some members of Parliament, influenced by local, considerations rather than national interests, may endeavour to opposo it. It isprobable that strong efforts will be made to defeat t-lio <idop•tion of the report of the Boundaries Commission. Under the Act the present. boards. cease to -exist at .the. end. of this year, their places being taken by the reduced number. If the opponents of reduction are successful. in their opposition, will be necessary this, session to continue the existence of the'present-thirteen boards: . - . "This 'would be a serious check to educational development, since it would still further delay ,tbe realisation of the idea of a truly national system of education. It would be detrimenal -alike to financial economy and to administrative efficiency, and > while continuing the - cxpenw of maintaining thirteen sets - of administrative machinery it would delay the introduction of reforms that are to' be expected from the enlargement of the districts. It would be prejudicial to the interests alike of teachers and pupils, since it would restrict both the fields of employment of . the one and the area of ■ teachers, for:: the other.' -.. In particular, it would/postpone, j>erhaps for an indefinite period - the attainment of the long-desired grading of teachers,' and with.- that- the initiation of a just system of : promotion.' The barriers ' between districts' would - continue as before, .and the education service would continue to .suffer one of. the -worst:.of-' ■ the evils .to . which it has hitherto'.been, subject. .'■:■'.-. ;.'•■■}:- .■.. :■ -'"The executive considers that the Dairying into .effect of-the promised re.'duction: is vital to the' cause of educational progress, as well as intimately affecting the . interests of teachers.- \ ; It; therefore requests teachers, . both collectively as, district institutes, and individually as private members, to communicate with -the members of Parlia-1 merro for their 'districts';- pointing out j to them the importance or the step, in the progress of national education, and strongly urging their support .in the i carrying out of the intention of the Act. |