THE COUNCIL OF EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 50, 20 July 1914, Page 4

THE COUNCIL OF EDUCATION.

The provision contained in .Mr Allen's IviliK-iitiiiii Hih for sotting up ;i Council of [(.duration is one of 'the, most progressive and commendable features of tliK measure. Hueh will depend upon whether the members of this council will approach their responsibilities untramelled by the now obsolete, ideas which have, characterised the educational system—or rather lack of system— in the past. If they rise to the occasion and direct their efforts aright (here will be a Dunked advance in all departments of educational work. The Council is to lie an advisory body, anil it is proposed that it shall moot only ouce a vera. Possibly, after the now si'bonm has' cot into thorough working order, there maybe no necessity for more than an annual session, wh'.ch may la~t some days, but at first there should be .plenty of work to occupy the council in~ layiii" the foundation of an up-to-date system and securing that uniformity which is so noticeably absent at present. It is satisfactory to note that the personnel of the couneil indicates that each branch of the work is to be brought into corelation with the others, and it may be assumed that one part of the council's duties will be that of putting an end to the diversity of text books now in use .and to institute a universal system of school books which will be in use throughout the Dominion. The effective linking-up of the various steps of the educational ladder also requires to be taken in hand, and it is evident that a, wider scope is to 'bo taken in the scheme of studies, in order to cover the whole ground so as to qualify the scholars to take their proper place in the various fields of industrial and professional life that are to bo found ready to hand. The council is to consist of a director and assistant director of education, an officer of the Education Department. who is to be appointed by the Minister, four members elected by the Education Boards, two members elected by the certificated male teachers of primary schools, one member elected by male secondary and technical teachers, two members elected by the certificated women teachers in primary schools and one elected by the women teachers in secondary and technical schools. The University of New Zealand is to be represented by one member, and the Gorernment will appoint three members, two of whom are to represent industrial interests (one being representative of agriculture) and one (a woman) to specifilly represent the interests of the education of girl-i. As no salary attaches to the office of a member of the council, the expense should not be very great, but it would seem that the Council would be incomplete without the inspectorial staff being represented. The Minister wisely remains outside the council so as to have a free band. This new departure will be watched with keen interest, and should be of great use in furthering the cause of education.