THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1915, Page 6

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

"SPRING CLEANING." A LEVEL-BEADED MINISTER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Nov. 20. There are indications that the Education Department, which has been subjected to a considerable amount of adverse criticism in recent years, is undergoing something in the nature, of a "spring cleaning" at the present time. The Minister for Education (Hon. J. A. Hanan), is a hard worker and a keen investigator, and lie is demanding vigor and keenness from his Department. Certain brandies where slackness and unbusinesslike methods have been noticed are finding themselves in personal touch with the Minister, and some changes aie being made or are projected that should make for efficiency.. The office of Assistant-Director of Education has not yet been filled. The present law requires the appointment to be made by the Public Service, Commissioners and one gathers that delay has occurred on this account. The appointment of an officer who, in the ordinary course of events, will become Director Education some years hence, involves some broad questions of educational policy and is not entirely a matter of scholastic attainments. Probably the selection of an officer will not be much longer delayed, since the Minister has indicated that he is anxious to proceed with a Dominion grading scheme for teachers and the work in this connection would fall to the Assis.tant-DirectoiY

Sir Edward .Gibbes, the present Secretary for Education, probably, will retire in March next. The officer next in line for promotion appears to be Mr. F. C. de Castro, who has a long record o f service with the Education Department.

One of the matters the Minister has in hand is the separation of the business and financial side of the Education Department with a view to securing more effective control of a branch of public expenditure that grows with marked rapidity. Your correspondent gathered in the course of conversation with the Minister that some attention is being given to the subject of the physical training of school children. There appears to be a need of increased supervision of the work of the officers engaged in this branch, and of an effort to make fuller use of their time. The Minister's own idea is that the robust boys and girls should he encouraged to play wholesome outdoor games, and that the attention of the inspectors should be directed specially to the children who show physical defects and so stand in need of treatment.