The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1920. DR. ANDERSON'S SUCCESSOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1920. DR. ANDERSON'S SUCCESSOR.

One of the most important appointments that has to be made by the Government is the successor to Dr. Anderson, Director of Education. It is naturally desired that the Dominion shall not lag behind other countries in the matter of education. Rather should it endeavor to set a worthy example of progress in this, as well a? in other directions. That all interested in the welfare of the country should desire to see the best qualified man available appointed to tfye position goes without saying, so that the Minister's announcement that the vacancy will be advertised outside the Dominion may be regarded as sound policy, though it by no means follows that the successful applicant will not be found in this country. In one respect., it would be advantageous for the new Director to possess actual experience of the New Zealand system and the general conditions which prevail here, for while the general principles of education as understood at the present day are applicable to all English-speaking communities, there are several special subjects connected with the activities of the people that have to be provided for, especially in connection with the science of agriculture. At the same time the chief essential of the holder of the office is that he should be a "strong" man of high attainments, a capable and vigorous administrator, possessed of wide vision; in short, a man who understands educational methods and requirements from A to Z, and is capable of enthusing teachers to obtain the highest results, and enter upon such extensions and reforms as are necessary whole-heartedly and loyally. The present is somewhat a transition 'H>|| in eduction. demands

that the holder of the office of Director shall be in the forefront of practical educationalists, and have such outstanding qualifications for the position that he would secure the confidence of all concerned, and he must be paid a salary that is commensurate with the importance of the position. It has to be remembered that our system is national, but that a certain amount of elasticity is desirable in order to meet the special needs arising from industrial and other developments, and that the primary, secondary, technical and university stages need co-ordinat-ing, so as to link up the whole system in a way that will ensure the most satisfactory results. There are strenuous times ahead, and competition is likely to be abnormally keen. Science will consequently play an important part in production, hence the importance of the Director of Education being fitted to interweave practical science with the other subjects of learning. The tendency of the age is to specialise, and the recognition of this factor implies that the Director ishould be able to select and encourage men working in this direction. It will be seen | that what is termed a good allround man can alone fill the position satisfactorily, while he must, be a tireless and systematic organiser and worker, imbued with unbounded zeal and breadth of view. There are such men as will fill the bill in this and the other Dominions, but, all things being equal, it would be wise to confer the position on a proved educationist who has personal knowledge of the ordinary and special requirements of education in this country. The I number of men thoroughly qualified for the office is not likely to j be large, and it. is doubtful if the! Government can offer a salary sufficiently large to induce the man that is wanted to. come here from overseas, though it is quite right j to make the field of selection as j wide as possible. There is so much | to be done to bring our system up to the standard of the highest effi- j ciency, and to make the service attractive to men and women possessing high intellectual powers,] that the choice of D,r. Anderson's successor will by no means be easy, but it is. to be hoped that the right man will be chosen, one who will raise the New Zealand system of education to the right level, and have the needful sympathy with all the teachers, and especially with those in the, backblocks. There is one branch of education work which should receive attention when reforms are being introduced, and that is the preparation of young men and women for special work for'which a University course is necessary, but not within the power of- the students to obtain. This can be accomplished by' bringing the University to the homes of the students instead of the students going to the University. Some practical system could be arranged whereby this work eould be accomplished at little expense to the students, and it could be made comprehensive in order that struggling young citizens could equip themselves for higher walks of life and become a valuable asset to the State. This and many other progressive steps await the new Director of Education, while the future of the country will depend to no small extent on the success or otherwise of his official career.