The Education Bill

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 48, 17 July 1914, Page 5

The Education Bill

•CENTRAL! S ATION INTRODUCED. IXOREAs&D CAI'IT ATIOX AND .SALARIED EXPENDITURE J NCREASED BY iISO,(XK). Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Lust Night. In the House of Representatives tonight, the Hon. James Allen, Minister of Education, explained the provisions of the Education Bill. Provision was made in it, lie said, for the election of women to the Education Council. It was proposed to give representation on the Education Council to all interests, from primary schools to universities. He thought it was wise that fcl»e Minister should not be upon the Council, so that he would he free in the administration of the Department.

lie proceeded to explain the proposed representation for the North and South Island secondary and technical and primary schools. The Education Council would contain 17. Altogether apart front the Education Council, tfcere would he district councils. Teachers were to be given representation. lie hoped Parliament would help hiin to fix the boundaries of the nine proposed Education Districts. There would be urban and suburban districts. It \vas proposed that elections to Education Boards should be on the Parliamentary franchise. A better method of keeping accounts was suggested, and inspectors wcrf to be brought in closer toucji with the Department. There was too great multiplicity of cxnminati.ons.ilt w 7 as proposed to adopt a Dominion system of grading teachers. Better results would be obtained if the Department could get in touch with the inspectors witt> regard to the syllabus. The inspectors could also act as independent judges as to the necessity for new schools. It was also proposed to make mole effective provision for medical inspection ot school children.

Subsidies would be paid at the rate of £ for £ on all cash contributions, and 10s in t'Ji.o £ on all donations of land or material. An increase in capitation to school committees was proposed, and an increase wis suggested for secondary schools, provided that a proportional increase was made in teachers' salaries.

It was proposed to reduce the grades front tun to seven, and to increase the salaries. An increase was also proposed in house allowance. The maximum salary to be paid to ft head teacher would be £440.

Chief inspectors would be appointed. There would not be more than five, and <iot less tlian two. Tlite maximum salary paid to inspectors would be £BSO. Provision would 'be made for the appointment of assistant-inspectors at £305 per annum, ft was proposed, to pay by way of increased capitation to secondary schools £7OOO, to education hoards £lO,'OOO. and the. total increased expenditure on education under the ActsoflDOS and 1013, .and this Bill, when in full operation would be £150,000. .. The Minister paid a tribute to the jnvaluablo woii'k of the officials in preparing the measure. Mr. Russell said that the Bill was .largely th« result of the 1 loya 1 Commission set up 'by the Mackenzie Government. He was pleased to see that wo were now embarking upon a centralisation education scheme, lie ur»ed that there should be a Dominion scale foi teachers' salaries. He complimented the "Minister upon the compilation of the Bill.

Mr, llanan was glad to see a national system of grading teachers. A techer would now Ihiive a wider field for advancement Benefit would come from the centralisation of inspectors. Some trouble would arise fromi the uttenipt to reduce the nnnibcr of education boards, but they should look at the matter from a national standpoint, lie would vote for the Bill, because it contained progressive proposals. Mr. Duve.v congratulated the Minister upon the Bill, 'but urged that provision should be made for scholarships for Catholic sdliiools.

Messrs Bradney and McCallmn supported the Bill. Mr, Malcolm urged that it would be impossible to give satisfaction unless provision was made to pay teachers irrespective of attendance.

. Mr. Buiclc congratulated the Minister upon the Bill, but hoped fair concession's would be made to the Catholics. The Bill was read a. second time pro forma; wand referred to the Education Committee. TAT! KAN AT BOARD ABOLISHED. WANGANUI DISTRICT ENLARGED. (Special to Daily Xews.) Wellington. Last N.i™)it. _ According to the 'boundaries of tho Education di.-t:i;!s as set fortlhl in the Bill the whole of Taranaki is to be placed under the Wanssunii Education Boaid so that the Taranaki Board will cease to exist as a board, but mav be come a District Council, CONTEXTS AT A GLANCE, Number of boards reduced from 13 to !) (Taranaki Board drops out.) Education Council created on which women are eligible. District Councils to <be formed in urban and suburban districts. Teacherto have representation • thereon. Loard members elected on Parliamen tnry franchise. Inspector-, to be brought, into closer touch with the Department (centralisation.). Reduction in number of examinations. Dominion system of grading teacher.-. More c.'lective medical examination of school children. £ for £ subsidy on all cash contributions. ami IDs in. i on donations ot land and material. Increased capitation to committees. Increased capitation for secondary schools conditional on payment of larger salaries. Grades reduced to seven. Increased salaries and bouse allowances (maximum £440). Appointment of chief inspectors and assistant-inspectors. Total i net eased cost *150.000.