EDUCATION CONTROL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19721, 22 August 1927, Page 11

EDUCATION CONTROL.

THE SUGGESTED CHANGES. BOARDS' FUTURE ENDANGERED. GRAMMAR SCHOOLS PROTEST. The proposals believed to be afoot for the abolition of education boards have caused general apprehension among the bodies concerned, especially in view of the fear that the scope of the reform may embrace secondary and technical schools boards. The position was discussed at a special meeting.of the Auckland Grammar Schools Board on Saturday, when it was decided to seek informaion regarding the proposals from the Minister of Education, and to ask for an opportunity for the boards to express their views before any legislative proposal is placed before Parliament, v The chairman, Professor A. P. W. Thomas, contended that the spirit of the schools, the interests of parents and the influence of the schools in the community could be given proper attention only by those who lived in the areas the schools served. It was believed the Education Department proposed to sweep away the established system, a step which was the direct negation of the principle of lemocratic control. The proposal meant centralisation in its most extreme form, and meant also that instruction would be carried out in one uniform mould throughout New Zealand. It was in the interests of the Dominion that the people should be encouraged to take an interest in the schools, but th&t would be impossible if the system of education were left fully to officials. Mr. A. Burns said the suggestion that it was proposed to abolish secondary schools boards had been denied, but it naturally followed that if education boards were abolished, the rest would follow suit. They could not afford to stay their action in case the proposals were given effect to. Dr. E. Roberton said the whole policy of the last two Ministers of Education had been in the direction of centralisation, and Ngradually the [lowers of the boards had been lessened. He urged that the support of the public and the press should be enlisted in the matter. Following further discussion, in which the urgency of prompt action was emphasised, the following motion was carried:—"That, in view of the setting up of a select committee to inquire into educational matters, and the uncontra-' dieted rumours to the effect that the Education Department ' proposes to abolish education boards, secondary schools boards, and technical schools boards, this board communicates with the Minister of Education, asking that the boards be informed of the proposed legislation, and that they be afforded an opportunity of expressing their views before any legislative proposal is placed before Parliament." SCHOOL COMMITTEES' VIEWS. OPPOSITION TO PROPOSALS. A resolution endorsing the action of the Primary Schools Committees' Association regarding the threatened abolition of education boards and curtailment of school committees' powers was passed by the Mount Albert District School Committee last week. The Maungawhau School Committee passed the following resolution:—"We nave been unofficially informed it is the intention of the Government to curtail the powers of education boards and to have educational administration centra lised in Wellington. We are of opinion that any move toward the abolition of education boards would be opposed to the best interests of education.