Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18th, 1920. A PROSCRIBED REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18th, 1920. A PROSCRIBED REPORT.

A peculiar position- arose at tile School j Committee meeting on Monday night ' when the Inspector’s report was receiv- ; eu, the Committee being notified that , where criticism was passed on the staff , it was not desirable to make the same j public. The proscription of a public j report which is of the highest import- j ance to the parents, is something of a ! new departure here, where the public, hitherto, has been able to take an intimate interest in the standard attained by the school. These are the times when from every platform and from the daily press, it is being pronounced day by day that education is the hope for the future of the world—cnliglitipient and learning. In the present instance the report traversed the work of the school in not an unsatisfactory tow. Some of the - members thought the comment of the Inspector where it praised in one place detracted in another —and there was some objection to this. Also, there was a feeling that the reservation in the report regarding the effect of the influenza epidemic covered something which had been left unsaid. On the other hand, the ma_ jority of the members considered the ireport most, commendatory, and expressed pleasure at the results the Rector had achieved in the face oi some 'untoward circumstances. However, the Committee decided to hold over tlu; report for a. month, to enable it to be passed round for more mature consideration. The publication of the report —every report in fact—would be not only a guarantee to the public on the progress of scholastic work, but it would be an incentive to* and a sategunrd for the teachers tbeinsfllvts. To pigeon-hole these important reports with which the fate of the future of the nation is bound up, is a Star Chamber method which should be banished from the procedure of public bodies. We do not know iln.v other class of public. administration where the test, of a year’s work and its worth, is withheld from those entitled to see it. In former times it was the custom for these reports to be published, and the public took a pride in gleaning how well their schools were run. The Inspector’s report, too, was usually confirmed by the prominent places local scholars took in public examinations bold by separate examiners and the State system gave the public confidence as to its efficiency. Now, with publicity with-held, and the uncertain remarks of members of Committees, the public will lose confidence in the conduct of the. schools, and grow suspicious as to the value given for the vast expenditure spent on education. The Inspectors should be the trusted guardians of the public weal, and their comment should be as honest as the published auditor’s certificate. If ali bo well, sav so if not lot the public know wliat is wrong. If there is aitythong wrong, public knowledge of the fact is .the quickest way to correct it, but let the guardians of the children who are most to be considered know exactly wliat is happening in regard to the training and upbringing of the children.