EDUCATION CHANGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20303, 10 July 1929, Page 13

EDUCATION CHANGES.

CRITICISM OF MINISTER.

DEFINITE STATEMENT WANTED

DELAY IN AUCKLAND GRANTS.

The further assurance given by I lie Minister of Education, tlie, Ifoii. 11. .A I more, that lio will lose no linie in calling ;i conference of controlling educational bodies !o discuss uuification of control, is an-eplcd with reservation in Auckland, (line being a strong feeling (lint tho Minister lias delayed his policy overmuch already. About six months ago the. Minister promised that within two months ho would make a definite statement, as to I lie future c> f post-primary education. The statement was not forthcoming, and he set himself a time-limit of six weeks. Beyond the repetition of his earlier expressed views nothing deliriito has come before the public. The delay is embarrassing to the Auckland Education Board so far as its district is concerned. No grant of any conscqucnco has been passed by the Minister for weeks, and llio question of accommodation is daily becoming more serious in somo of the larger schools. .At tho present timo additions are urgently needed at Point Chevalier, Richmond West, Avondalc, Brixton Road, Royal Oak, Takapuna and Mil ford schools. Largo country schools, such as Tc Awamutu and Morrinsville, are also feeling acutely the lack of adequate accommodation.

An indication that there is likely to be opposition to the Minister's proposal with respect to unification of control was given in interviews yesterday. Professor A. P. W. Thomas, chairman of tlie Auckland Grammar School Hoard, said that the work would be too great for one body, and members would have no real grip of affairs. The Wants of the primary schools wcro fairly simple, but men with long education experience would be required to control the secondary schools. Ho could not imagine a board controlling tho primary, secondary and technical schools whoso members wcie appointed by country school committees. So burdensome would the work become that a large amount of it would pass into the hands ol Education Department oflicials. Mr. Atmore had stajed that lie was opposed to centralisation, but this would lead to such a state of affairs. Professor Thomas said that he considered the scheme would Lie opposed by the grammar school boards.

"The suspense is somewhat enervating to those who aro doing unpaid work iu the interests of the schools." said Mr. Jf. S. W. King, chairman of tho Seddon Memorial Technical College Board. "Wt wish to proceed with our jobs, but we are held in suspense until the Minister tells us something definite."