EDUCATION BOARDS APPREHENSIVE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 128, 20 August 1927, Page 1

EDUCATION BOARDS APPREHENSIVE

PROTEST TO GOVERNMENT POLICY OF CENTRALISATION HHHE proposed abolition of Education Boards by the Government has raised a storm of protest among the bodies concerned throughout the Dominion. This morning the Auckland Grammar School Board held a special meeting to consider the question. Professor A. P. W. Thomas, who presided, stated that some steps should be taken to protest in the national interests. The Auckland Education Board was established by Sir George Grey, 50 years ago. “EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE” “There is no doubt,” said Professor Thomas, “that the move would be extremely unfortunate and a direct blow to democratic control.” “It would be extreme centralisation, and will mean that as far as education was concerned, we will have absolute uniformity and all schools of the same standard. “Are parents to have no say in the control of the schools?” concluded Professor Thomas. Mr. A. Burns, chairman of the Education Board, said it appeared that the statement of the abolition of secondary

and’ technical schools’ boards had been denied, but it naturally followed that if Education Boards went the rest would follow suit. The boards should be allowed to place its side of the question first. PUBLIC INTEREST NEEDED Dr. Roberton said they had every reason to be apprehensive and the policy of the last two Ministers of Education seemed to be in the direction of centralisation. “The main fault,” said the doctor, “is the loss of interest by the community in our secondary schools and education. “We should get the public and the Press of Auckland to help us.” ; Mr. J. Stanton was of the opinion that they should protest at once. Mr. Brownlee said they were working in the dark, as there had been no communication from the Government on the subject. Finally, the following resolution was carried: “That in view of the setting-up of a Select Committee to inquire into educational matters, and the uncontradicted rumours that the Education Department proposes to abolish education boards, secondary school and technical school boards. this board communicate with the Minister of Education asking that the board be informed of the proposed legislation and be afforded an opportunity of expressing their views before any legislative. proposal is placed before the House. “That a copy'of this resolution be forwarded to the members of both Houses and also the Education, secondary schools and technical school | boards.”