EDUCATION BOARDS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1928, Page 4

EDUCATION BOARDS

mi', AF.OJ.niON TUI! MAT. AYKI/LTNGTON, Feb. IJ. Tliore was a good deal of discussion several months ago over a persistent report that tlie Government was being advised by tlie .Minister of Education to make drastic changes in tlie system of administering primary education, and that the Education Boards as now constituted would be abolished, and more extensive local powers given to school committees. As the Education Boards function very actively and could make a good case out for their retention, the storm passed without damage to tliese bodies, and the most which could he gleaned from the Hon R. A. AVright (.Minister of Education) was that the Government had not originated the report. ‘‘.lt was simply a report from the Department to flic Minister, neither more nor less, and the contents eventually became public property.” He complained that before lie could get tlie report under consideration by Cabinet the contents seemed to get into the 'hands of a section of the public. However, the Minister showed that lie had been seriously considering some plan involving changes, as he expressed concern over expenditure by the boards, and indicated that he intended to have an investigation made into their status and functions, with a view to preventing overlapping. He thought tliis might ho secured by enlarging tlie functions of school committees and imposing more work on them by a process of decentralisation. The Minister’s statement was made five months ago. and there has been no move in the direction of the suggested investigation of the general working of the Education Board system. Inquiries indicate that the whole idea has been dropped, at any rate for the present year. The Government, viewing tlie plans as a whole, sees that one of the biggest investigations of recent years, covering tlie economic position of tlie farmer, will have to lie vigorously pursued in time to formulate legislation for next session, and this is a big enough task for the recess. Education. too, will receive an overhaul in one respect, as the committee which has been inquiring into the primary school syllabus is expected to meet in AYellington on February 21st. to complete its report. This will, no doubt, be followed by extensive changes, a -task sufficient to keep Departmental officers occupied without raising the larger and more controversial question of the status of Education Boards.