EDUCATION REFORM

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2678, 26 January 1916, Page 6

EDUCATION REFORM

MINISTER'S PROPOSALS EFFICIENCY PLUS ECONOMY The Minister of Education, the Hon. J. A. Hanan, has recently been actively engaged in shaping a scheme of reorganisation affecting his Department, .which it is hoped will give improved results at a reduced cost. In some respects, reforms initiated by the_ Minister are already in operation. \esterday the Minister imparted to a reporter particulars of a scheme which will effect considerable alterations in the administrative work of the Department. One of the most important changes about to be made is the separation of the business and the financial side of the Department from the professional. The reason for the change is, it is understood, because the Minister is _ dissatisfied with the financial and business, management of the Department, and the alteration is designed to secure abetter business methods and an improve)! system of financial administration and control. An appointment will be made to tho position of secretary to the Department who will have oharge of, and bo responsible -for, the financial side. He is "to consult with the Director on matters defined in the duties cf secretary, and shall have access to tho Minister on matters of policy connected with his particular branch of the work." Probably an officer of the_ Department who has had long experience of all pluses of its activities will be given the position when Sir Edward Gibbes retires. With a view to.securing better business methods and financial ' organisation, and statements in Tegard to all institutions or branches under the Department's control, an accountant is being advertised for. An appointment will be made in the course of a week or two, the new appointee taking up his duties about March 1. The expenditure in regard to the Industrial and special schools of the Department at •present runs into a very large sum, and the new departure, it is believed, will secure better supervision and financial administration. The office work generally is to he reorganised, tho duties of the head offioers of the branches being defined. The Director (Dr. Anderson) is to have full control of and be responsible to the Minister for the work of the Department as a whole.. The Department is also being divided into branches, each with a chief executive officer, who has his duties also defined. Tho office section under the general control of the secretary of the Department is also set out. Secondary School Inspection. "I am making," said Mr. Hanah, "alterations in secondary sphool inspection. For instance, local school, inspectors who have special qualifications and who are now doing primary school work will bo selected to . assist. There is no reason, for instance, why the services of Dr. Don, of Otago, who has special qualifications, should not be utilised in this connection. I do not propose for certain reasons to entrust the work of inspection of secondary schools entirely to those local inspectors. I hope later to get a man of high academic qualifications who lias had experience in teaching in secondary, schools, and has capacity for <rganising work, etc., to act as chief supervisor—to be as it were a supervising inspector. Native Schools.

, "I think some change in tho direction of placing Native schools under local primary .school inspectors can be made, and witlv'that view I am thinking of making a beginning in Hawko's Bay, whero a senior primary school inspector is wanted. My present idea is to transfer to that district Mr. Bird. M.A., as head office senior inspector, who has carried out the inspection of Native schools throughout New Zealand. He could combine the inspection of Native schools with his other duties as an inspector, and also have the assistance of the other inspector there in connection with the Nativo< school inspection. In Auckland I hope to have trial given to this new idea.

"I do not purpose, at this juncture, to place | the inspection of all Native schools entirely in tho hands of local district school inspectors. Wo have a sacred duty, to tho Native children in this country in regard to their education, and, therefore, caution must be exercised lest anything may be dono that may not be in tho best 'interests of the Native children.

"in the ordinary circumstances it is the rule to transfer to tho Education Board any Native school in -which the Europeans exceed the Maoris. Now that the primary school inspectors are our officers, I think they might make the condition of Native education a matter of inquiry at every public school which has, or ought to nave, Maori children on tho roll. I should tell you," said Mr. Hanan, "that in connection with visits of officers something more than mere inspection is called for. A' man wants,to have some sympathy with Native lifo and Native aspirations to understand the Maori character, to endeavour to solve difficulties, and act the part of counsollor and friend.

"I purpose deferring certain proposals I have in mind in regard to Native scliool inspection and control of Native schools until I make a. visit to some districts with a view of more practically, acquainting myself with matters in this connection. There are certain elements that I, as Minister of Education, and as a trustee for Native education, have to consider. Industrial Sohools. "The inspection of certain industrial schools c.an he done by local school inspectors. For instance, at Caversh'am, the educationa 1 work, and some other features associated with that institution, could be inspected by the local primary school inspectors located at Dunedin. "With regard to special schools such as Otekaike, Sumner, Te Oranga, Burn'hamy Auckland Institute for the Blind— I am not disposed in view of the special nature of the instruction given ( and training thereat, that the inspection of theso institutions should bo entrusted to the ordinary Inspectors of Schools. Medical Inspection and physical Culture. "After close investigation, I am certainly not satisfied with the position in regard to medical inspection and physical culture. Thero is a lack of supervision and other weaknesses that call for attention. "I purpose placing instructors in each district under senior primary school inspectors. Closer co-o,nova-tion of physical instructors with the medical inspectors must and will take place under my proposal. The want of this co-operation at present negatives the best part of tho medical inspectors' work. To run the physical culture side without co-operation with the medical side has been a mistake.

"Since I have been Minister I have had in various towns special classes established to give corrective exercises to those children who suffer from certain physical defects, such as piceon chests, etc. There are some ohildren in our schools who require additional exercises, and who should he oftener in the fresh air-and should ho taught to take a greater interest in themselves. The instructions which I have given will lead to the services of tlio medical inspctors and the physical instructors being better utilised. I may say, in reference lo this subject that I have given iustructioiis with a .view to sav.-

ing unnecessary expense, in regard to tlu-ee rooms rented in Wellington for physical culture. This practice will bo stopped and accommodation found in the Government's buildings. Inspection and Supervision. "Considering tho large sums spent by the State," added Mr. Hanan, "in running industrial schools, with their various activities, after personal visits and a thorough overhauling of this branch of work, I am convinced that more attention will have to bo given to business and financial management. Effective supervision is called for, and better inspection at the institutions on the business side. Certain records are not kept, and returns not made that should be made. A better system of accounts is, required at some of these institutions, and the preparation of bal-ance-sheets is necessary, Inspection. of course, does good, but expert advice and suggestions to managers are also essential. "We have farming, etc., carried on at some places. This requires special knowledge on the part of an inspector if his inspection and advice aro tn be of value. "Tho system, that obtains as to the provision of supplies and stores for these institutions and special schools calls for reform. No business man. if he owned the institutions, would tolerato what now obtains. I want to see this branch of the Department carried on' more efficiently. Other Proposals. "I have other proposals in the way of reforms, which I will outline later. Generally speaking," concluded Mr. Hanan, "the ideas I lave given are dictated by a desire to secure the State bettor results for the money taxpayers of- this country are now paying for tho maintenance of branches of work I have referred to. While I,_ as a Radical, am a strong believer in State institutions and in extending the functions of the State, I like to see efficiency and economical methods of management intimately' associated therewith." ;