SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S FUNCTIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 24 July 1909, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S FUNCTIONS.

ministerial statement.

Speaking at Pahiatua on Wednesday night, the Hon. G. Fowlds (Minister for Education) said that some school committee members seemed to think that their sole function was to see to the cleaning of the school buildings. This was quite a mistaken idea. ■ The Act of 1908 restricted the powers of the committees in regard to the appointment of teachers, but he thought it should be recognised that the education, boards, which were elected by the committees, and which were with their inspectors in close touch with the staff, were, as the superior bodies, the best judges of the qualifications of teachers. He hoped that the committees would work in hap mouy with the boards in this matter. The committees, however, had many other useful functions. It was their duty and privilege to •attend to the social, physical, and moral welfare of the children. The holding of social gatherings, the inculcation of high ideals in the minds of the young, the discouragement of vicious habits, the establishment of school libraries, and the organisation of continuation classes were all works which the committees might undertake to the great advantage of the children and the community as a whole. He sincerely hoped that the boards and committees would work amicably together for the advancement of the cause they all had at heart. , t V: 'J IV ry.j.p /■j.C j V ij_'-,4J,_v j;^r^j.:;-jH