The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1887. ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2581, 25 April 1887, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1887. ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Our Education Act haa somewhat resembled the laws of the Medes a;d Persians; it has altered not, but, with all its faults, has been permitted to operate year after year on precisely the same lines as those upon which it was originally framed. Our Educational system has run in grooves with almost distressing monotony, and tho smoothness with which it works affects oven the annual election of School (Joinmittees, It is exceptional when any excitement attends' tho gatherings periodically'held for the election of these popular local bodies, In nine cases out of ten, people aro satisfied with the, educational facilities whioli •their children onjoy, .and they leave the management of their schools with confidence to the Board, which really controls them* and to some dozen or half dozen settlers who aro willing to become members of tho local Committee. The .indirect powers of these local Committees are of importance, though their direct responsibilities are almost confined to suoh minor tasks as'cleaning out school buildings and putting in occasional panes of glass. Their real strength lies in the fact that they are the responsible advisers on local matters to the Board, and as that | body is sufficiently intelligent to attach considerable value to their recommendations it follows that an earnest, active Committee has a considerable influence on the welfaro and success of the school with which it is connected. It has no direct authority, for example, over the teaching staff, but at the same time a teacher who forfeits theconfidence of his Committee cannot expect to long retain his position. Our educational system is full of faults but in working it the good sense of the members of Boards, and of Committees makes a somewhat cumbrous machine move easily. In the past it has been noticeable that the Boards and the Committees have been conciliatory towards each other and where misunderstandings have arisen they have frequently been removed through the agency of the Inspector, Mr Lee, who has long earned the confidence and respect of both bodies. The present elections, throughout the Educational.district almost suggest a feeling of gratitude to the Board, the inspector, and to those who in the past have manned the Committees for tho united and successful efforts which-have been made'to obtain all the benefit possible to be derived under the existing educational system. The meetings which take'place this evening affords; settlers throughout the district an opportunity of expressing either satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the management of their schools. ' Where the latter feeling is predominant they will be present without any , solicitation to express a Britons undoubted priviledge, Tho formor sentiment is, we behove, in most instances the predominant one and where it -exists it. is only a gracious and - desirable act that a parent or guardian should be present at the annual meeting of his School Committee to encourage those who have been working on his behalf.