EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11955, 2 May 1902, Page 7

EDUCATION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —It the discussion in your columns on the recent Hikutaia school case had achieved no greater result than the production of a lette, by' u B.N.S.j' 1 this morning, it has conduced to a good end. Its contents contain the suggestion of a veiled inquiry as to how for school committees have justified the wisdom of their inception since 1671, and also whether or not most country schools and country teachers would not he better off without their interference. Coming from the othe. colonics, and having a fair general knowledge of the education system's of Australia, it astonishes me to observe the splendour of your results as evidenced by the numerous scholarships awarded to town and country each year, and at the same time a system* of petty interference, Worrying and belittling of the teacher on the part of country committees, which is discreditable alike to the system and to the committee- itself. This condition of things finds no counter- i part in Australia. There the teacher is practically independent of the school committee in all matters connected with his calling; he can only be removed by his Minister, the responsible head of the Department; can only apply for removal to a higher post through him : and all complaints as to failure of duty or irregularity have to be sent to the. Minister, and reported on by his inspector. The consequence! is the teacher, under such a system, feels s> greater amount of independence, believing that lie is more likely to receive justice ami consideration at th© hands of the trained official head of the Department, who advises the Minister, than at the hands of i ny local committee, of necessity affected by surrounding influence and prejudice. Doubtless, sir, in theory, and originally, these committees were ? good idea, but with a continually increasing country population, and the daily increasing mass of personal affairs that modern competition is bringing before each man's attention, 1 think the adage holds good, "Le* the cobbler stick to his last." The absurdity of the functions exercised by these country school committees would be more fully realised by I heir surrounding communities were licit relations to school : lid teacher only for a space turned roundabout, and the teacher endowed with advisory powers as to the cultivation of his committee's farms, and the propel raising of their stock. I fancy the bucolic mind would very soon rebel at such outside interference with his business. I have directed the tenor of these remarks father to the country than I the town, because it is there the ridiculous effects of petty committee interference with

the education of our youth is most apparent. In the country there is Jess opportunity for social and mental distinction than in the town, and it therefore Happens that a small parochial office, such as school committeeman, is often eagerly sought for, and the qualities! that ensure, the getting of Jit a'-e not always those required for best fulfilling its duties. In fact, sir, it is a notorious truth that almost the majority of country school committees are manned by the most talkative, the most fussy, doubtless, also, the most popular, hilt certainly often the- least learned of a fair selection of men in the parish. For this reason, and a few others, 1 agree with every word your correspondent, " U.N.8.," lias written, and commend to our legislators the- thought of remodelling Our education system on the lines of more direct bureaucratic control. — I am, etc., Titos. B. Simpsok. Auckland. April 29, 190:-!.