THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14167, 15 September 1906, Page 4

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

If the public have been expecting any hint of the intentions of the new Minister of Education to appear in tho departmental report they will be disappointed. The report confines itself to the work of the past year, and was drawn up, in all probability, before

Mr Fowlds took office. It- is almost entirely statistical, and the important figures may be shown at a glance:— 1904-5. 1905-6. Schools . . ' 1,785 1,808 Scholars . . 136,282 138,471 Teachers . . 3,063 3,137 Pupil-teachers . 649 679 Cost of the system £635,936 £697,936 The figures in the main call for no special criticism. The number of scholars is increasing, and with it the number of schools, and the colony maintains a' remarkably high average attendance. There is, of course, a greater growth in the North Island than in the South, and with the opening up of the native lauds this tendency will become still more noticeable. The report is practically silent on controversial matters, which means that it gives no encouragement to controversy. It contains evidence, however, that the reqpnt improvements in the status of the teaching profession have been appreciated, since the great disparity between the numbers of young men and of young women entering the schools is no longer noticeable. The establishment of the superannuation fund and the increases of salaries have rendered the profession once more attractive to bright young men. The women, wo should think, have still cause for; complaint, since the average salary for adult women teachers is only £96 6s lid, compared with £174 14s 9d, the average paid to men. Sir Fowlds may find it difficult to persuade Parliament that this disparity is inequitable, but be cannot help believing it so himself, and he must not acquiesce in the continuance of an injustice simply for the sake of an easy life. If he is content to leave this and other grievances unremedied after all the criticisms of the past year or two he will bitterly disappoint the hopes of his friends. There may be no opportunity for revolutionary measures in connection with the education system, but every sixth standard boy could tell the Minister where important improvements oould be effected;