SCHOOL COMMITTEES' CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 23, 17 June 1914, Page 4

SCHOOL COMMITTEES' CONFERENCE.

That "there is a live interest taken l>y. tlic committees in the administration of educational affairs was sliown by the attendance at the proceedings of the TaTanaki School Committees, held in Xew Plymouth last week. The Conference in the outcome of the effort to link ap the committees in one body—the North Taranaki Schools' Association—the object of which is to consolidate the aims of the committees so that being united they may possess a greater power of influence than would otherwise be possible. There were many matters of interest and importance on the order paper, and manifestly the time at the disposal of the conference was not sufficiently large to go thoroughly in any one question. It was a very wise policy of the Chairman of the Education Hoard, Mr 11. Trimble, to identify himself with the work of the Conference by. giving an interesting address oil the duties of Education lioards and School Committees. The main points of this address were (n) the failure of the framers of the Education Act to provide sufficient funds for carrying out the work; (2) the necessity for the appointment of teachers being in the hands of the Hoard and not of the Committees. The first point is an oldstanding grievance that seems fated to be a fixture. Kvery application to the Government for'more funds is met with the reply that the cost of education has risen so enormously that tlierc is 110 more money .available. Of course, this is nil exploded fallacy) and one which, if the School Committees throughout the Dominion were to be properly linked up in one solid and determined body, would soon be remedied, for no Gorernment

could withstand the pressure which. could be brought to bear on it. On the (question of the appointment of teachers there is something to be said on both sides. The Committees know very well that the Board is guided by the Inspectors both as to the appointments and promotions, so that there is always a possibility, though a remote one, of some disappointment arising. The teachers, as well as the Board; rightly insist on a system of promotion being carried out. This is only strict justice, but the principle cannot be logicall be completed until there is a downward grading as well as an upward. This latter would probably meet the case of the remit advocating the removal of teachers after five years' service at a school upon the receipt Of a petition from a majority of the parents concerned. This motion was very properly withdrawn, as it opened the door to evils and abuses that would be sure to arise, especially in small communities. In connection with promotion, the teachers are favoring a Dominion scheme, and this will probably eventuate. One of the consequences that may arise may have a very far-reach-ing effect, for it may pave the way to tho principle of centralisation being adopted, and that will mean there will be no further reason for of Education Boards. It may be looking a long'way ahead for this to eventuate, but the idea has been seriously broached more than once, and it is quite within the bounds of practical politics at any time. Sliould that event take place, it will in a great measure depend on the manner in which School Committees have acted whether they will be entrusted with far larger powers than they at present possess. In any event, the union of Committees and the meetings in conference sliould have a beneficial effect on their administrative work and should lit them for more important trusts than is the case at present. One o." the most important remits discussed was that moved by the Rev. Eoseveare in favor of giving equality of subsidy to the primary schools instead of differentiating between those, schools and the district high schools. The claim is so just that it is a matter of wonder that the primary schools are so handicapped. Every encouragement should be given to the raising of voluntary contributions in aid of the work connected with the schools, and if the district high schools arc given £ for £, the primary schools should certainly be similarly treated. This is a matter that should bo taken up from one end of the Dominion to the otner without delay, and there should bo no question of the result being satisfactory. Space will not permit of reference to quite a number of interesting remits, but the Conference is deserving of hearty congratulations on its work. There ( can be no question that the Board should regard the movement with favor, as both bodies are working for the same end, and by sympathetic co-operation can make the wheels of educational machinery run more smoothly and effectively. Thi3 should be the aim of both, and by a union oi l forces the necessary reforms in the system are more likely to be attained and the cause of education promoted.