Training Teachers

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 69, 14 December 1932, Page 11

Training Teachers

Sir, —J have Just noticed your subleader regarding the discussion on the report of the Education Committee .of Parliament on the matter of the training of teachers. This committee, representative of all political parties, after hearing evidence on behalf of the Government and of the petitioners, unanimously reported against the Government's proposals. . . . Do vou think that in view of this unanimity the tone of your article is justified? Do you think that the best interests of the- country are served when members, assured that the Government is doing a groat wrong, remain silent? Do you think that this committee, in possession of all the evidence and assured that in the interests of economy and of efficiency. that the petitioners are right and the Government wrong, should refrain from trying to influence the Government to change its policy in this matter? You surely do not think this. You surely do not think that at such, a time as this attempts to persuade the Government to adopt a less expensive and more efficient scheme, thereby saving many thousand pounds, may reasonably be characterised as “waste time” and "hollow ’? In common with many who know little of the facts, including the National Expenditure Commission, you hastily assume that the fewer the colleges the less the cost. Were you in possession of the facts as the committee was. yon would find the reverse to be the case —that, within limits, the fewer the colleges the greater (he cost. But you are obviously not in possession of the facts. Moreover neither the Minister nor his department has been able to deny that the proposals of Dunedin and of Wellington are less expensive than those of the Government. The Minister relied upon the plea of relative efficiency. On this the committee also heard evidence from both sides, and its considered and unanimous judgment is that the Minister is mistaken, and that the experience of England. France. Germany. nnd practically all Europe is distinctly in favour of the small training institution. ... Tt is quite true that a large sum iy' 1 be saved by the Government's proposals; but. tt is equally true that a larger.sum would he saved and a greater efficiency attained bv the adoption of the commtt|p,,h rpport .-I am, etw. Wellington. December 10.