DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.

Evening Star, Issue 20666, 13 December 1930, Page 16

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.

‘ National Education,’ the organ of the Teachers’ Institute of New Zealand, draws attention to an important matter in its latest issue. The post of As-sistant-Director of Education, it points out, is about to ho vacated hy Mr Bell, who is retiring on superannuation. The retirement of the Director, Mr T. B. Strong, though not so immediate, is not remote. The question is asked i “ What does Mr Atmore propose to do with regard to the new appointments? ” That would he an urgent question at any time when a Director was retiring. It has an unprecedented importance at the present time, when the whole system of education is in the melting pot. Changes have been proposed affecting administration, both central and local, the divisions and objects of schools, the grading and appointment of teachers. It is not to he supposed that all of them will run the gauntlet of Parliament successfully when they have to be subjected to that ordeal, but substantial alterations are quite/certain. A new spirit is intended by the Minister to be infused into education in this country, making it a matter of the first necessity that the man who is to be entrusted with the chief direction of the system shall bo a man with the largest possible experience of all its branches, of fresh mind and unfettered outlook, appreciative of the best in modern theories, who shall know how to guide it in its now progress. There may bo such a man in the New Zealand service. If a better one can bo obtained abroad than any that is available in New Zealand, then the choice should not be limited to this country. Ten jfears ago, when a Director was needed,' applications were called from as far afield as the United Kingdom, and a New Zealander was chosen on his merits. Four years ago, when an appointment was required, overseas applications were not encouraged. Only eleven days wore given from the calling of applications to their closing, making the smallest opportunity for outsiders. As the law stands, an external applicant may bo placed at a disadvantage. “ No appointment,” the Public Service Act reads, “ of any person not already in tho service to any permanent office or position therein shall bo made . ~ . unless the Commissioner is satisfied that . . . there is no person in the Public Service lit or qualified and available for such appointment.” Tho clause would bo hotter preceded by tho words “ other things being equal,” but no Government has been willing yet to give possible offence to the powerful service by such an amendment. A service man might, therefore, bo “ fit ” and “ qualified,” and sustain his claim to those descriptions on an appeal, hut yet not be so well qualified as an outsider whom, on tho wording of the Act, it might ho impossible to prefer to him. If this clause threatens injuriously to narrow tho field of choice it should bo amended before a permanent appointment is made. There is another point which it is desirable to consider. A new Director of Education should bo young enough to have time to impress bis ideas and individuality upon tho system and give them some prospect of permanence before he himself becomes an object of superannuation. Professor Comlliffo found it a defect of our methods that tho planning and control of tho system arc too much in tho hands of older men and women, while in tho same way, ho points out, tho teachers’ professional organisations tend to bo controlled by the senior members of the service. “There is no department,” ho protests, “where tho evils of promotion by seniority aro so clangorous, but tho grading list makes such a system of promotion almost imperative. It is anomalous that tho destinies of tho youth of a young country should bo entrusted almost wholly to seniority. High education authority can always ho found in defence of tho existing system, the ex-

pert critics of which must speak softly in view of their subordination.” Tho principle for which lie contends was acknowledged, at the time when tho Directorship last fell vacant, by a clause in tlio conditions of application which stated; “Ago preferably between thirty-five and forty-fivo years.” Till an amendment of tho law was made three years ago, ‘ National Education’s ’ question, “ What docs Mr Atinoro propose to do with regard to the new appointments?” would have been wrongly addressed to the ister of Education. The appointment' of a Director, to have control of ono of the most important and most specialised departments .of tho State, would have been nothing to do with the Minister, who should know all about the requirements. It would have been solely a matter for the Public Service Commissioner, acting in a routine manner. Legally it would have been an offence for Mr Atinoro to make any suggestions to tho Commissioner or express preference for ono candidate over another. Now it is provided, with regard to tho old embargo, that “ nothing in this section shall bo so construed as to prohibit any person from giving information or advice or making representations in respect of any appointment, promotion, or increase of salary at tlio request or invitation of tho Commissioner,” and we have no doubt the invitation will bo given.;