CHOOSING SCHOOL COMMITTEES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23009, 9 April 1938, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHOOSING SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Theory and Practice

By MATANGA

TO bo a householder is, once in two" years, to have a say in the management of a school. This should give a feeling of importance, if only for an hour or two. Jt is no small matter to be entrusted with the care of other people's children at any time, and when this means care of their education, not only in their own interests but also in the interests of the whole country, the privilege and responsibility are' great indeed. At least, that is the theory behind the biennial meetings of householders, called to elect School Committees and to do other business connected with that duty - , Not so many years ago, those high occasions were annual; but, for pos--Bibly sufficient reasons, they were spaced moro widely apart—perhaps to confer greater "social security" upon the committees, perhaps to give householders a longer breathing-space between strenuous exertions. Be this as it may, the theory supposes that the householders' meetings do involve serious business to be transacted in a spirit of lofty patriotism. The idea is excellent. It rightly assumes the value of a close touch between the older generation and tho one in need of schooling, to the profit of both, and its fundamental principle —that tho education of a people is a matter of concern to all the people—is manifestly sound. But a sorry gap too often appears between theory and practice. On theory, this is what should happen when the householders' meeting approaches and is held. An intelligent and energetic School Committee, proud to be tho elect of a local community caring deeply for the welfare of its children, considers faithfully and well the report it is to present to the constituency it represents. It secures, weeks ahead, the largest available building, arid every adult entitled to be there notes the date so intently that there is no need to tie a knot in a handkerchief or put a card in a mirror. At the time appointed, the whole adult population of the neighbourhood, except the sick and decrepit, is on hand in best bib and tucker, a half-honr before the time to begin. Preliminary conversation whets appetites for the business. Exercising the Franchise Promptly on time, the oldest active Justice of the Peace is voted to the chair. After,his few, well-chosen words on the importance of the occasion, the committee's report and balance-sheet are submitted by its honoured chairman in a way befitting the rendering of an account of stewardship. Then the head of the school is respectfully heard and heartily thanked. At the chairman's invitation, a general discussion, keeping closely to the points of these recitals, is enjoyed. To round this off. gratitude is expressed to the outgoing committee aqd to the donors of valued gifts for the adornment of the school Riding and grounds. Cordial appreciation Is the dominant note in all this, yet courteous suggestions are made for the future development of the school.? Now comes the election of the incoming commiltee. Every mind is gravely intent on the nominations. Tho worth of new aspirants for honour is weighed judicially against the work of proved servants of the public. To give everyone his or her due is an earnest care—with a special regard for the good of the school.

The ballot' is taken, closed, counted, declared. Amid a buzz of pleasant and frank confidences, the meeting melts away—all but the chosen members of the committee, who stay awhile for formal business, electing officers and arranging details for regular doing of their united work. When they, too, go home, the service of the new term is well begun. That—on paper—is the way in which oile part Hi our national education system works, general enthusiasm for primary education finding useful focus and expression. What, too often, is the reality? Opportunity Neglected. In many a district—town as well as country—only the members of the outgoing committee forgather as a householders' meeting, at the advertised time—or a little after, maybe. They hear and formally receive their own report and sedately re-elect themselves. Hero and there they will not number enough to form a new body, and by-and-hy steps will have to be taken to provide them with associates up to the required complement. In some places, the meetings will lapse altogether, and after another opportunity, three weeks h}ter. has been similarly neglected, the Education Board will have to appoint commissioners to supervise the work of the schools concerned. Never an .April passes without such happenings somewhere, in every education district of the Dominion. Often, even whore householders' meetings assemble, their proceedings are apathetie, and difficulty is experienced in persuading enough men and women to form a competent and vigorous committee. The outcome, far too often, is that the wrong people get elected, whose intelligent interest in education is less thai their personal vanity or desire to mount a first step hi public life.

This is not said in disparagement of the many who do splendid work on BPho°l committees: their patient and effective service is all the more praiseworthy because of the indifference of others. That much indifference exists is Undeniable, and it is to be deeply regretted. Abuse of the Occasion At times, it must also be. confessed, Householders' meetings have a liveliness altogether fictitious. In these sorry instances it has nothing much to do with ideals of education. Crowds collect, «£- ,v 1 speeches are made, contending tickets" compete for election, and there is noise enough to satisfy even 8 H an .from Donnybrook. But what, really, is jt all about? Not education, fli °i m( - 00,in^rv school-teacher has punished Sam or Susan in an original way teii un,lsna ' severity, and the whole community takes sides for or Bgainst those wanting to get at him. «I. , m^-v feud, not related to the school, has also been knoivn to get ent at tho householders' meeting: its proceedings have been punctuated with speechlets and interjections little or nc bearing on school ®Jtnirs. Sometimes a crucial local quesB™, for Jack of better means to decide Jtji oeptipjp,, meeting with hostile jnanoeiivres not even remotely counted with its proper business. Party Politics also, sad to say, have exploited «nf «??«ira.'to the detriment of its ptirnoso. I'ncts of this sort show nothing so * ns "nforl for education, but Oat is no' cpmnensatintr benefit and • rtainlv is no valid excuse. The deadlv Ullness of 90 many meetings is bad enough, but such corruption of their Prescribed aim is far worse.