WHO IS TO BLAME?

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 48, 26 February 1913, Page 6

WHO IS TO BLAME?

A thick air of mystery hangs heavily on a muddlement over certain free places at tho Wellington Girls' College. Tho winners of proficiency certificates at certain primary echoola enjoyed an unfair advantage, The- authorities of these fortunate Bchools gained esrly information of the examination results, and, of course, they promptly applied for places at the secondary school, a« they were aware that the Board of GrovomoT3, by regulation, would bo obliged to act on the priority, principle. By th« time that other schools were in a position to apply, the places had all been filled. This is a clear case of injustice, nnd trie Education Board's plain duty is to guard against a repetition of this procedure, which is vexatious to teachere, pupils, and parents alike. "Not gv)ilty" is the plea of all authorities concerned. The College Governors appear to be Tight In saying that the dispute must be settled between the Education Boards and the various school*, but Mr. R. Lee, chair- ! man of the board, seems to be puzzled himself. However, from the Chief Inspector's statement, an Explanation of the regrettable occurrence can be deduced. The echools were visited in turn, and the examination results were announced in sequence. The Inspector declines responsibility for this method, which, he submits, is mandatory by regulation of tho Education Department. Thus the people are practically told that tho Department, by regulation, inßicts injustice. By regulation, preference is enjoyed by certain schools, not. necesearily picked schools. The inspectors have to make a 6tart at some schools, and by this very fact these echoola secure advantage—by regulation. This peculiar blunder demands amendment at the earliest possible moment. This extraordinary incident brings up the general question of free places throughout New Zealand, i Mr. Lee remarked yesterday that the difficulty was increased by the tact that all the proficiency girls desired places at the one institution, the College, "because it was so popular." There was room in the Technical School and also in the Normal School, but apparently these schook did not appeal to the girls under notice. Mr. Lee can do a good service by looking farther into this matter, and bringing up the whole subject for review. Teachers of various secondary schools, which are a heavy charge on public funds, have complained that many "free-placers" do not seriously tackle the higher course. They may make a pretence of study for a few months or a year, and then leave. They stay just long enough to enable them to say that they have been "educated" at a high school. We mentioned some time ago that tho helter-skelter Education Commission, which had to make most unroyal haste through the two fclaaids, had no time to look deeply into this problem, but it ie obviously one that needs earnest attention.