EDUCATIONAL BOARDS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 53, 26 November 1919, Page 6

EDUCATIONAL BOARDS

A PLEA FOlt THEIR RETENTION. "In Defenoo of Education Boards" is tho titje of a pamphlet issued by the New Zealand Education Boards' Association, which has its headquarters in Wellington. The publication is insoribed "to members of sohool committees, teachers, and other electors." "The delegates of Education Boards in Conference in Wellington during September," it states, "could como to no other conclusion than that a determined effort will be mado in tho near future to persuade Parliament to abolish education boards and establish the principle of centralisation in respect of education in New Zealand. Ever since the passing of tho first Education A'ot, in 1877, education has been administered by boards elected by school committees. Tn the main they have done their work well. If thoy are abolished grave evils will ensue. In the long run the determining test of the work of boards must-be the efficiency of tho citizens educated in the schools under their control. It is within the knowledge of members of boards that the officers of the Department favour the abolition of boards. It is not yet evident what local control it is intended shall be substituted for them. No clear and definito plan for future administration of education seems vat to have been formulated in detail. The boards in urging you to resist their abolition are aotuated by a souse of public duty. They know the difficulties and delays that even now arise from Departmental control. They believo that it would spell disaster to 6mall rural districts in particular if boards were abolished." . , , ~ Thirteen arguments against centralisation are presented in tabulated form for the consideration of thoso who aro sufficiently interested to studv the subject.