OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM

Temuka Leader, Issue 2453, 19 January 1893, Page 4

OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM

Wellington, January 16,

A deputation representing the New Zealand Educational Institute, waited on Mr Reeves, Minister of Education, to-day. The matters put to the Minister and the replies obtained were as follow: 1. That the inspection and examination of primary and secondary sehools should be under the control of the Department for Education; that a code of instructions should be issued to the inspectors, and that there should be a uniform standard examination.—Mr Reeves said that they would try and bring about an annual conference of inspectors, but he did not think that inspectors could be brought directly under the control of the Department at present. 2. That the working average should be the basis for the capitation grant.—Mr Reeves said that he opposed the institution of strict average in 1887, and he objected to it still, but as the Treasury was now borrowing no money, extra expenditure could not be incurred just at present. He would, however, try and ameliorate the sufferings of teachers of smaller schools from this cause.

3. That the compulsory clauses of the Act need revision, so that the duty of enforcing attendance should lie with the police, and so that the number of times may be increased.—The Minister replied that he had drafted a Bill dealing with the question, which he hoped to pass next session, and which he thought would improve the attendance. 4. That the transfer of funds from maintenance) to building account is improper. —Mr Reeves said that the boards were very often forced to take this course, but they should not do so unless absolutely compelled. He had, however, no power to prevent them from transferring from maintenance to building account.

5. That a court of appeal for 1 eachers ought to be established. —The Minister said that the Institue should consult the boards on this question. 6. That there should be a uniform scale of salaries for the colony.—Mr Reeves said that he thought the Act had intended that boards should be allowed to fix their own scales of salaries, and he did not think this power should be taken away from them. 7. That by amalgamating the boards a saving could be effected.—The Minister thought that some of the smaller boards would either have to amalgamate or approach Parliament with a view of getting more funds. 8. That the examination for D and E should bo by numbers. —The Minister said that he would consult the InspectorGeneral on this question. He felt inclined to give it a trial. 9. That the Minister’s attention be drawn to the fact that the boards have a tendency to confine appointments to the teachers of their own districts. —Mr Reeves said that he did not agree with the Institute in this matter. He thought that teachers who had been in one district for a long time ought to expect promotion in their own district in preference to teachers from other districts; 10. That it is desirable to make some provision for aged and infirm teachers. — Mr Reeves replied that he would bring the matter before the Colonial Treasurer, who had the matter in hand. 11. That freedom of classification is desirable. —The Minister did not think freedom of classification desirable at present. 12. That drawing should be a class subject ; that geometry is excessive ; that geography of the Standard IV is excessive; that grouping in drawing for Standards IV., V., and VI., should be allowed! that model drawing is very difficult jn the large classes; and that the recent changes in the syllabus axe a oreat assistance. —-Ml 1 Keeves said that he would talk these questions over with the Inspector-Gen eral and let the Institute know when a decision had been arrived at.