EDUCATION SYSTEM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 26 January 1937, Page 9

EDUCATION SYSTEM

REORGANISATION PLAN SENATE’S VIEWS ON ATMORE REPORT (United "Press Association) AUCKLAND, 25th January. At the request of the present Parliamentary Education Committee the New Zealand University Senate reviewed recommendations affecting university education contained in a report made by the Recess Education Committee, the “Atmore Committee,” in 1930 upon educational reorganisation in New Zealand. The vice-chancellor, Professor T. A. Hunter, explained that as the present Government regarded the Atmore report as the starting point of a reorganisation of the education system, the senate had been asked to state whether it was for or against various proposals affecting university education. The recommendations were dealt with seriatim:--(1) That funds now utilised for the provision of national and university entrance scholarships be used for maintenance, bursaries to be awarded to deserving pupils, not on external competitive examinations but on consideration of individual cases recommended by the senior inspector or superintendent of each education distfibt. —It was resolved to disapprove of the recommendation and to stafe that the senate, while believing provision should be made by means of bursaries to ensure full training of those who might become leaders of the nation in whatever section of the community they might be found, was convinced that the abolition of the entrance scholarship system was not in the national interest. (2) and (4). That the University of New Zealand be disestablished and two universities, one in each island, be created embracing university, agricultural and training colleges and research instutitions.—lt was resolved to state that the senate did not approve the proposal and, in view of the history and growth of the university system in New Zealand, the most effective and economical line of further development was toward specialisation in existing university institutions. (3) That in order to ensure the fullest co-operation between teaching and research instutitions within each university, the Department of Education and Scientific and Industrial Research be placed under the same Ministerial control. —It was decided to state the senate’s opinion that scientific and industrial research, which touched all phases of national life, should not be intimately associated with a Government department. (5) and (6) That revenues from public educational endowments be investigated and the whole matter dealt with on a national basis.—lt was resolved to approve the proposal and to express the opinion that university colleges should be adequately endowed.

(7) That there be a uniform scale of staffing and salaries for all university institutions and that all salaries of teaching staffs be paid by the Government direct. —It was decided to disapprove of the proposal. Regarding the proposal for matriculation by accrediting from approved secondary schools on an internal examination only, it was resolved to state that the matter was now being investigated, but in the present circumstances the best policy was to develop the school leaving examination so that, in a few years, the University Entrance Examination would be taken only by those who desired to enter the university.. The Parliamentary Recess Education Committee recommendations included the following:— That the post-primary school course end at 11 plus or after passing Standard IV; that intermediate classes form part of the education system; that the scholarship system was no longer necessary; that the curricula of all schools should include adequate practical instruction in agriculture and allied subjects, that unification of control of the existing primary secondary and technical education in New Zealand was desirable; that a single specialist inspectorate be organised; that there be further consolidation of schools and classes; that the New Zealand University be disestablished; that the training colleges be handed over to the control of the college authorities; that outside the four centres, the district education boards be the controlling authorities for all forms of post-secondary as well as secondary education, including higher technical classes and the training of apprentices; that the school dental service be further extended to the country districts; that homework in primary schools was not necessary; that a scheme of reduction of classes to a maximum of 35 within five years, be worked out. LEGISLATION COMING OPINIONS OF AUTHORITIES SOUGHT Advice that the proposed reorganisation of the education system was to be the subject of legislation during the forthcoming sesison of Parliament was contained in a letter read at last night’s meeting of the Board of Governors of the Wellington Technical College from Mr P. J. G. Smith, private secretary to the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser. “I am directed on behalf of the Parliamentary committee set up to make preliminary inquiries regarding the education system to obtain the opinions of your board, on the resolutions and recommendations taken clause by clause of the Parliamentary Recess Education Committee, which reported in 1930 on educational reorganisation in New Zealand,” Mr Smith said. “As ample opportunity of giving evidence upon the proposed reorganisation will later be afTorded to all interested or concerned, a full statement of the views of your board is not requested for the committee’s present purpose. The committee’s wish is merely for an indication, by means of the word ‘approved’ or ‘disapproved.’ of your board’s opinion upon each clause of the resolutions and recommendations under consideration. “Where disapproval of a clause is intimated, a brief statement of Ihe grounds of disapproval would be of assistance, but comment otherwise is unnecessary.” In conclusion, Mr Smith asked that the information be made available before 15th February. Mr A. C. Blake said that the matter was of such magnitude that the education board was asking its members to discuss it as a special meeting on Thursday. The chairman, Mr T. Forsyth. Messrs Blake, G. L. Stewart, and the director, Mr R. G. Ridling, were appointed a sub-committee to go through the clauses and report to the board at its next meeting. ’