CONTROL OF SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19718, 18 August 1927, Page 11

CONTROL OF SCHOOLS.

SUGGESTION OF CHANGE. POWERS OF LOCAL BOARDS. COMMITTEE'S INQUIRY. POLICY NOT YET DECIDED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Wedneßdky. It is understood the Government's education proposals do not involve the wholesale abolition of the local authorities which attend to the schools in the various provinces. The proposals have not been completed, but the details now being considered refer only to education boards and school committees.

It lias been suggested many of the powers now being exercised by the boards might well be given to the school committees, whose authority would thereby be extended. Other functions of the boards, it is contended, could as easily be performed by the department in Wellington. It is said the abolition of the boards would result in a saving of £IOO,OOO annually in the Dominion's education bill.

While the Minister of Education, Hon. R. A. Wright, maintains a steadfast silence concerning the proposals, it was reported there has been absolutely no suggestion that the high school boards and the technical college boards should be done away with. The Minister's proposals are at present being considered by a committee of the Reform Party, but the committeo has not yet come to any definite conclusions. It is said a majority of the members of the party are in favour of eliminating the boards, although there is some difference of opinion on the subject in Ministerial circles. Whether the proposals will assume such definite shape that they will come before the House is as yet uncertain. Another factor to be considered is the possibility of any such bill passing the House. If the Reform Party minority is a substantial one and the various elements in the Opposition are against the abolition of the boards without some corresponding gain in local government elsewhere, it may be that the proposals will not be proceeded with.

AUCKLAND OPINION.

" MOST RETROGRADE STEP."

THE BOARDS NOT CONSULTED. J The report that it was proposed to J abolish education boards was discussed by Mr. A. Burns, chairman of the Auckland Education Board, last evening. "What we resent," said Mr. Burns, "is that the boards have never been consulted. I feel the Minister has not been open in the matter, as the boards have not had a chance to say anything. Hie question has been mooted before and the previous Minister investigated the position. However, he felt the pulse of the people and dropped it. Then the Teachers Institute recently made proposals to a similar effect. " My opinion is that if the boards go, the school committees will ultimately follow. It is in accordance with the desire of the department to have sole control evidentlv not believing in local control. The board has been in operation for 50 years and we have had no reason to think the present system has not been satisfactory The step will be a most retrograde one." An optimistic view of the position is taken bv Mr. H. S. W. King chairman of the Technical College Board Ido not think it will go any further, he said "I do not think the people represented will stand any change, and Parliament will not approve of it. The suggestion is wholly revolutionary and it is certainly not in the interests of the people that their form of local government should be taken away from them. If continued interest in education is desired among the people then it is foolish to take away from them their local government." , , ~, . The matter was referred to at the meeting of the Auckland Education Board yesterdav, when protests were received from five school committees against Parliament curtailing the powers of education boards and school committees. Mr. H. S. W. King said the Minister of Education, in replying to a suggestion that there was too much politics in education, had stated publicly that it was foolish to make a protest against politics coming into education. He had said the education system was in the hands of politicians, and it was impossible to get awav from political control. Mr King moved that the committees resolutions should be sent to all members of Parliament. "If the Minister tells us we are under Parliamentary control then we must, plav up to the politicians, added Mr. KinK. "We will then be appealing to the ones who have control of education in the Minister's opinion. It is, of course, regrettable, but there it is. Mr E C. Banks said it was a good move, and would let the members of Parliament know where the board stood. The suggestion of Mr. King was agreed to.