COUNCIL OF EDUCATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16808, 18 March 1915, Page 7

COUNCIL OF EDUCATION.

Great interest is being shown anions /eachers and educational authorities in the coming election of the new Council of Education, through which it is hoped, that considerable reforms will be made in the education system. Owing to', its being composed entirely at people directly engaged in thd various grades of educational work, the council should, ia particular, be fitted to bring about a more natural relationship between the kindergarten, primary, technical, secondary and university stages of iducation.

Many inquiries have been made as to the method of election of the council, and the chief features of the regulations gazetted on March 4 will bo of interest. The council will consist of the Director of Education, the Assistant Director, one other officer of the Education Department, two members elected by the Education Boards of the North Island and two by those of the South Island, one member elected by each of the fol-lowing.-:—The male teachers of tho North Island and of the South Island, the women teachers of tho North and of 'the South Island, tho men teachers of the secondary and technical schools, the corresponding women teachers, tho Senate-of the University, also three members appointed by the Minister, via., two to represent industrial interests (one for agriculture) and a woman to represent the education of girls. Separate rolls are.to be made for each body of electors, oach elector having to claim enrolment. The election is to take place on May 10. Not later than March 30 the returning officer must advertise in the " Gazette," and in the newspapers of the chief towns of each provincial district; the date" for receiving nominations. In any case nominations cannot be received later than April 20. Nominations must be in a prescribed form, signed by two electors and by the person nominated. Voters must sign their ballot paper, which will be accepted up to eight days after May 10 if tho envelope bears the postmark of Mav 10.

Many other details are given in the "Gazette," but the above nre the most important. The public will look forward with keen interest to the result of this elec- ' tion, and to the improvements which the council may recommend to Parliament as, the result of its deliberations. Tho council has, for the present, only powers.