Education Boards.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1922, Page 4

Education Boards.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, Sept 27. The Dominion Conference of Education Boards opened this morning. Mr T. Forsyth, who presided, said that the object of the Conference was to smooth out any real difficulties in the administration. The legislative side would not be discussed as there was no prospect of any alterations ot the Act at the present. Mr John Caughley (Director of Education) said that ho had during tho year met nearly all the Boards to discuss administration. The result of this was a better understanding. More time would be available for tins now, as an Assistant Director had been appointed. Unless something extraordinary happened, there would be no amending education legislation this session.

After discussion the conference passed a motion as under:—“'l hat this conference protests against the increased tendency to government by regulation that has obtained during recent years, and urge that the Act and regulations be consolidated.” Other resolutions and remits passed were: That where capitation payments are fixed annually for manual training classes, agriculture, etc., the rate should be announced early in the year, in order that the Boards may he in a. position to estimate their revenue and to determine their expenditure accordingly. That the present practice of the Department in fixing such rates when the year is practically over is unbusinesslike and unfair, and contrary to the provisions of regulations, which require the rates to he fixed at tho beginning of each school year. Canterbury.—That in view of the general increase .that has taken place of late years in the cost of all services tile reduction made in the grants to Education Boards for ordinary purposes was not justified; that tho conference respectfully ask tho Minister to restore the former grants.

Canterbury.—That when the Department contemplates alterations in tho regulations dealing with many matters affecting the administration of the Act, copies of the suggested alterations should be supplied to Education Boards before being gazetted, and in time to admit of Boards recommending such .(modifications as seemed necessary, and that tiie observance of this practice would strengthen and improve the relations existing between the Department and tho several Boards.

Wellington.—That any enactment or regulation affecting administration be submitted for consideration to the Education Boards’ Association in reasonable time before adoption: that tho Act be amended so as to provide for an honorarium to the chairman of each Education Board. Auckland.—That the clause in the Act dealing with tho payment of subsidies on public voluntary contributions in aid of schools should clearly provide for the payment of such subsidies on contributions for the purchase of materials and equipment for recognised British school games.

Auckland.—That the requirement that no special grant may be expended until after its receipt by the Education Board is inoperative. Auckland.—That the requirement that over-expenditure from the special fund must be recouped at the end ot each year from the Board’s general fund, and that any saving effected in the same* special fund in the succeeding years may not be used to repay the general fund, is inequitable.

Auckland—That the .schedule in connexion with tho school fund allowance should be on a minimum basis, but the allowance should be on the maximum basis in order to give Judication Boards power to adjust payments in favour of counties encountering special disabilities. Auckland.— That tho manual and technical fmuls.be amalgamated. Auckland.—That special audit inspectors be appointed solely for the accounts of Education Boards, secondary schools, and technical schools, and that the audit inspection be -ontinuous.

Hawke’s Bay.—That the .boarding and travelling allowances payable to .pupiL of secondary departments ol district high schools be payable also to pupils of secondary schools, and to technical high schools.

Hawke's Bay.—That the condition respecting payment of allowance to children riding on horseback to school that the road must be impassable or dangerous for wheel traffic without respect to the age or ability of the driver. be relaxed to the extent of making the allowance payable if the read is dangerous for children to tlrivo

Canterbury.—That the buildings maintenance fund be not charged vtb the cost of installation of sewerage.

’Wellington.—That the Education Department bo urged to pay over to Education Boards all moneys as soon as they become due.

Wellington.—That the Education Department be asked to make an addition to the regulations providing for tho payment of the removal expenses of teachers in any case where it is necessary to effect a transfer of a teacher in the' general interest of the school.

Canterbury.—That in tho opinion of this conference all necessary expenditure in connexion with students practising al an associated school should be refunded by the. Department. Wanganui.- That Ibis conference is of opinion that it would bo a retrograde step to plaeti school building works under the control of Lhp Dublin Works Department .as lias been suggested, a- .'Ocm change could onlv be made at very great cost, and without any compensating advantages. The Conference resumes to-morrow.