EDUCATIONAL CENTRAL ISATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1924, Page 4

EDUCATIONAL CENTRAL ISATION.

AfABI.BOIMH'GH I?KSKNT.MENT. BLEXIIKIAI. AI ay 1.3. Alter several years of increasing unrest and dissatisfaction with the methods ol the Education Department, a crisis lias occurred ill secondary school government circles, and practically the wlmle of the secondary s'-lionl governing authorities are in what might he termed a state of revolt. The Marlborou:;li .College Pcerd of Governors is involved in the general condition of discontent and indignation " liicli is prevalent at t lie present time, and Inis agreed to associate itself with a movement by which it is hoped to clear up the long-standing grievances which ihe hoards have with the department. Lively fears have all along been expressed that the depul tlueii! has had steadily in view the centralisation ol control of all matters edoealinnal. and. by regulation and Oidor-in-(‘niineil, has allegedly been sapping the strength and power of the local hoards. Now thoroughly aroused, the hoards intend to ' amhiue and show a determined front lo the .Minister for Education. and Compel him to lealive that lie must abandon utterly that purpo-e, which they allege is his secret aim.

Thi. topic was introduced to yesterday's meeting by way of a circular, in which the Director of Education (AH .1. Cnugliley) sought to draw the attention of all education board-, high school hoards, ami technical school hoards, io

'crlniii i i“_'tilal ions governing the application for a'nd expenditure of grants. The points of tin l letter were not conciliatory. indeed its official note bordered almost on brusqiieitoss. At any rate, it reus decidedly unpalatable to Air K. 11. Penny, the board's chairman. and lie indulged in a few hitter renin i ks.

“Ihe depart meal would seem to think that v.c ate not only a lot of incompetents,” lie asserted, “hilt far from attempting to help the ounitty,

wo ere wasting its very sub-tame. This circular is adding in-alt to injury. It is intolerable that we. a hotly of men the equals of if not the superiors of l fi* moil who are advi-ing the department. should have to | ill up with this sort of criticism. Il would lie a difI'eieut story if we failed io observe leasottahle regulations. Then we would permit censure, but thi* sort of thing has gone too far."

Mr R. Alt Call urn agreed with the chairman's remarks. He thought it was about time thi- sort of thing was exposed. lie suggested that the letter lie forwarded to the lion. C. J. Parr himself -and lie Ire raked whether circulars in such tones wore issued "illi his knowledge and sanction.

The hoard passed a resolution to this effect. At a later stage the hoard received a circular from the High School Roauls* A-sociation advising that, a conference would be held in Wellington on May PS for tho special business of consideration of the Government's attitude toward* the secondary governing hoards, the growing practice of government b.v regulation of centralisation of control in Wellington. and the deprivation of control by the boards. Tt "'as staled that fifteen boards had so far signified their intention cf supporting the big movement. They were Auckland Grammar School Board, Nelson College. Napier Ashburton. Palmerston North, Otago, and Hamilton High School Boards. Canterbury College Board (Christchurch Bovs' and Girls' High Schools). Timaru. AVluingaroi. Wellington College and flipi s’ High School Board. Gisborne, AVanganui. Dannevirke. and AVaitaki High School Board-. The hoard also received a circular letter on the same subject from Air A. P. AY. Thomas, chairman of the Auckland Grammai School Board. It was resolved, on Dr. Redman’s motion, “that the hoard heartily endorse the movement already initiated, confirm the protests of other hoards, and appoint a delegate to the conference.”

The chairman was appointed to attend the conference, with power to select a further delegate if such were allowed.