THE EDUCATION BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 9472, 17 August 1894, Page 1

THE EDUCATION BOARD.

Tub proceedings of the Education Board recently have been of more than ordinary interest, and there lias - been evinced on the part of members a most commendable anxiety to effect reforms in matters of detail which may tend to render the educational system more efficient. There is, however, always a danger that, in making new departures, seal may outrun discretion ; and it is not at all desirable that hurried action should be taken where the issues involved are so serious as they are in this case. Well-deserved compliments from the highest authorities were paid in the House the other day to the general administration of the Otago Board, as demonstrated in results by the inexorable logic of facts ; and we should bo sorry to see so good a record marred by thb rash or ill-considered disturbance of existing- conditions under which such practical success has been achieved. It is a very sound principle to let well alone, and alterations which appear excellent in theory, it is well known, do not always “ pan out ” as might be anticipated. We do not desire to throw cold water on the efforts of the reformers on the Board, but we would counsel them to “ go slow,” and not “ force the running ” in any direction. A case in point is presented by the resolution moved yesterday by the actingchairman, Mr Ramsay, who desires that the Education Board should abrogate their statutory functions in the appointment of teachers to a specially constituted advisory board, whose function it should be “ to assist the Board and the school cora- “ mittces on principles calculated to secure “ promotion for efficiency and length of ser- “ vice, and generally enable the Board to “do justice to all teachers alike in the “matter of appointments, and to promote. “ the efficiency of the service.” It may be admitted that the present system is not free from defects, and that in specific cases injustice may at least appear to be done, but no possible system could be devised under which universal satisfaction could be given. The fact of the matter is that the scholastic profession, like all others, is over-maimed, and, consequently, all the evils exist which are inseparable from that keen competition which our Socialist friends allege to bo at the . bottom of all social and economic troubles. The Board practically arc. vested with very extensive patronage, and have in their power to confer appointments of substantial position and emolument. Under these circumstances, however conscientiously this patronage may bo exercised, offence is bound to be given in some quarters, and motives questioned by the interested and malevolent. The members of- the Board should, doubtless, bo above suspicion, but they can hardly avoid, in the nature of things, being subject thereto. This, however, they can afford to despise whilst conscious of a faithful discharge of duty. The test is that, notwithstanding the objections,, which arc sufficiently in evidence to the present system, the appointments, as a rule, have proved satisfactory. Tile fault lies deeper than the mere machinery of appointment. The alteration or readjustment of this machinery would not mend matters one whit, and the advisory board proposed by Mr Ramsay would bo as upon to influences and to the varying accidents of circumstance as the school committees and the Education Board. The reform really required is the classification of schools and teachers throughout the Colony, so that existing anomalies would be impossible, and there would be regular gradation in the service, dependent solely on qualification. It would be most improper and unjustifiable in the Board to endeavor to interpose this “ buffer ” of an advisory board between themselves, and a grave responsibility ; and wo further question whether such a step could be taken without statutory authority. As we do not suppose there is the remotest chance of the resolution being carried, wo forbear to discuss the proposed constitution of the advisory board, which is open, wo think, to grave objection from more than one point of view.

We are pleased to note that the Board have expressed unreserved approval of the School Attendance Bill introduced by the Minister of Education. Under the law as it' stands compulsory attendance is a mere farce, as anyone can see for himself in our streets, waste places, and on the wharves. Allowing boys to idle away their time, as so many do, is the surest way to foster the growth of the hoodlum element, which in some of the colonies is becoming dangerous to social comfort if not to safety. Under this Bill every child not otherwise properly accounted for will really bo compelled to attend some school regularly, and parents neglecting to see that their children do attend will be summarily and severely dealt with. We hope that the Bill, with a few trifling amendments which have been suggested, will at once become law. Truancy will then bo almost a thing of the past.