Education Reform

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 63, 16 March 1938, Page 4

Education Reform

Important Alterations Proposed TO BE EXAMINED DURING RECESS Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Major proposals for changes in the administration of primary and postprimary education in the Dominion are contained in the Education Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House to-day by Governor-General’s message. An explanatory memorandum states that the purpose of the Bill is to formulate proposals so that they may be considered by interested parties and by tht Education Committee of the House during the recess. Subsequently the consolidation of various Education Acts will be arranged.

The main features in the Bill are:— The abolition of existing education districts and boards and the constitution of new districts in Northland, Auckland, South Auckland, Taranaki, Wanganui, Hawke’t Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, South Canterbury', Otago and Southland. The election of the new education boards by proposed school councils of primary and post-primary schools and by teachers engaged in those schools. Education boards to have jurisdiction over secondary, combined and technical schools, as well as public schools. The abolition of existing governing bodies of secondary, combined and technical schools and the transfer of their assets in trust to the new education boards. Tho constitution of school councils for every school under the jurisdiction of education boards. The representation of employers, workers and women on the school councils of all post-primary schools. The appointment of an advisory council of education, a special advisory council of adult education and education officers to co-ordinate the work of schools in each education district. Raising of the school age to 15 years. Permission for religious instruction to be given in schools by approved persons for half an hour on two days each week. The removal of restrictions against the employment of married women teachers. The section of the Bill dealing with the constitution of education districts and education boards provides for the abolition of the existing education districts and present boards and the dis solution of the governing bodies of secondary and combined scnools. It is provided that education districts will include all boroughs and town districts situated within the boundaries of the constituent counties. The new education boards are to be charged with the duty of establishing and maintaining within their districts all schools necessary for providing primary, seeimdary and technical education. There is provision for each board, with the aj-iproval of tho Minister of Education, to establish and maintain its own teachers’ training college. The assets and liabilities of the abolished boards and governing bodies will be transferred to the new boards. The new boards are to be elected annually and the number of members is to be determined subsequently, but one member of each board will be elected to re present teachers employed on October 31, 1938, in the public or intermediate schools or training college within the district and another similarly to represent the teachers in the secondary, combined or- technical schools. There is provision for each district to be divided into electoral subdivisions and in each subdivision one member of the new education board for every 3000 pupils will be elected by members of the existing school committees. In the case of post-primary scnools one member will be elected for every 2000 pupils by members of tho existing governing bodies of these schools. The first members of the new boards will hold office from January 1, 1939, to July 1, 1940, and subsequent elections will be held annually in June, when the voting will be carried out by the school councils of tho primary and post-primary schools and by teachers employed in the schools on the last day of May preceding the elections. School councils are to bo established for every school under tht control of the education board, but tho Minister may consent to the constitution of a council to act for two or more schools. In the case of primary schools the proposed councils will have the powers of existing school committees, while the councils of secondary, combined or technical schools will have extended powers of management and control subject to the direction and supervision of the education board for the district concerned.

The existing governing bodies and school committees will be confirmed in office as school councils when the legislation comes into force. Councils lor public schools will consist of not less than five and not more than nine members. For intermediate schools there will be councils of nine members and for secondary schools 11 members. Councils of public schools will bo elected by householders, councils of intermediate schools by parents of pupils, who will elect six members, and by councils of contributing schools, who will elect three members.

In the case of secondary schools six members, one of whom must be a woman, will be elected by parents of scholars, one member by the local authority in whose district the school is situated, two members by an election committee representing employers engaged in local industry, and two members by an election committee of workers similarly engaged. The elections o t school councils will be held annually starting in 1940. An education board is empowered to fill casual vacancies on any school council in its district.

The Minister is given power to appoint an advisory council of educa-

tion, a council of adult education, and local advisory committees to assist the latter body. In addition, an education officer selected from the staff of the Education Department will be appointed for every education district to advise on the co-ordination of education, inspection of schools and «dassiiieatiou and appointment of teachers. Provision is also made for the constitution of a board of appeal of live members to hear appeals by teachers against non-appointment. The Ministerial nominee will be chairman of the board and other members will bo appointed by the Association of Education Boards of New Zealand, the Educational Institute, the fcJccondury School Teachers' Association and the Technical School Teachers’ Association. Full details are set out as to tho proedure for appeals.

The clause which raises the school age to 15 years contains special provision that no child who has left school before the alteration becomes operative on February 1, 1939, will be required to return to school.

With regard to religious instruction in schools, it is provided that tho ordinary opening hour will be postponed or the ordinary closing hour advanced on days when instruction is to be given. No child will bo compelled to attend a class for rtdigious instruction. The clause deaing with the employment of married women states that no education board is to refuse to appoint a married woman as teacher solely because she is inarrieo, and no wonitt'.-. teacher is to be dismissed because sho is married.