EDUCATION CONFERENCE

New Zealand Mail, 27 August 1902, Page 17

EDUCATION CONFERENCE

BOARDS’ DELEGATES DISCUSS CURRENT TOPICS.

A conference of delegates from various Education Boards of the colony met at the Education Board’s office, Wellington, on the 19th inst.

Mr J. R. Blair (Wellington) occupied the chair. The following delegates were present:—Rev George Barclay (South Canterbury), Mr Thomas Mackenzie, M.H.R. (Otago), Messrs W. Macalister and J. A. Hanan, M.H.R. (Southland), Mr George ‘Talbot (Nelson;, Mr F. Pirani, M.H.R. and Mr George S. Bridge (Wanganui), Messrs D. Buddo and C. A. C'. Hardy, M.H.R. (North Canterbury), and Mr A. W. nogr M.H.R. (Wellington). On the motion of Mr Macalister (Southland), it was resolved, "That, in addition to ordinary capitation aud other grants, adequate provision should be made_ for the cost cf administration by Boards.” During the discussion, Mr Hogg (Wellington) advised caution in the limit of its asking. The sixteen motions on the order paper pertaining to matters affecting Boards all contained an outcry for more money. Tne conference should be careful lest it raised such a state of public feeling as would militate against the education system. Mr S. Ellis (secretary of the Nelson Board) was appointed secretary to the conference. It was decided to invite the Minister of Education to take part in the conference. Mr Hanan moved. ‘“That a substantial increase be made in the annual building grant paid to Boards.” All the speakers agreed that more liberality should be shown to Boards for building purposes. The motion was adopted with oue dissentient.

Mr F. Pirani moved, “That the capitation to Boards be increased by 3s 3d to supplement the incidental allowances to committees, and to provide for such other purposes as the Boards may think fit.” --The mot ion was carried unanimously. This motion aims at diverting to incidental purposes the extra 2s (id set apart for teachers under ihe Teachers’ Classification Act of last ; ear and also the ninepenee provided to increase the allowance to committees from 11s 3d to 12s.

The following resolutions were adopted without discussion :—“That primary and secondary schools be placed under the same governing body.” “That primary and secondary education should be articulated and brought under the control of the Education Boards.” “That this Board strongly. disapproves of the proposed centralisation cf the inspectorate.” “That inspectors should be granted free passes on the railways.” “That it is desirable that the inspectors should meet the teachers in conference at regular intervals.” “That suitable permanent provision be made for payment of relieving teachers.” “That there is need for the adequate training of teachers.”

The motion from the Otago Board, “That the Education Boards should be elected by a wider constituency than at present,” was opposed by Otago’s delegate, Mr T. Mackenzie. On a show of hands, six delegates voted in support and four against it. It was resolved, “That the centralising tendency acts directly in the teeth of the genius of the English people ior local self-government, and, unless arrested, will prove detrimental to the interests-of education.” On the motion of Mr Buddo (North Canterbury), it was resolved, “That in order to save time and clerical labour, the grant for manual and technical instruction should be made to Boards direct, as the small sum of Is capitation for school classes is in danger of being used up in administration; and also that the regulations be modified to allow classes to be formed without the present exacting conditions.” The delay of the Education Department in attending to "business brought before it by Boards was severely commented upon by several speakers. Ultimately, the following resolution was carried by seven votes to three on the motion of Mr T. Mackenzie:—“That this conference trusts that greater promptitude will be shown by the department in connection with communications with Boards, and also deprecates the tendency of the central office to encroach on the powers arid functions of the Boards.”

Resolved, “That the conference view with disfavour the multiplication of petty texi-hooks.” “That provision should be made for the teaching of sewing in all schools.” It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Pirani, “That the chairman and Messrs Bridge, Macalister, Hardy and the mover be a committee to frame a report on the resolutions carried by the conference to submit to the Acting-Premier and Minister of Education.”

At 1 o’clock the conference adjourned until 10 o’clock next day.

The Education Conference resumed its sitting at the Education Board Buildings on the 20fcfi inst. It. was decided, on the motion of Mr T. Mackenzie, “That -the Government be asked to make provision for free se-

condary education for children who have passed Standard VI., subject to such regulations as may oe provided by Governor-in-Council.”

On the motion of Mr Bridge, it was resolved, “That the attention of the Minister be called to the lack of young male teachers entering the service, probably caused by the small salaries offered to such teachers.”

Mr Bridge moved, and it was decided, “That it be a recommendation to the Minister that- uncertificated teachers who have suffered a 10 per cent, reduction shall, if they pass their certificate examination, have the full salary paid to them for the year iu which they pass.”

It was resolved, on tne motion of Mr Bridge, “That ill order to secure uniformity in the appointment of teachers, this conference resolves to recommend to the respective Boards that the following system be adopted:—That when a vacancy occurs, the Board shall forward the .names of all the candidates eligible for the appointment,- to ti e school committee, with testimonials, and that one name be selected, with an intimation that the Board proposes to appoint this teacher provided the committee does not give valid reasons to the contrary.” The proceedings of the conference were ordered to be printed and circulated amongst tlie Education Boards of the colonv.

The chairman was deputed to arrange a time for a deputation to wait upon the Acting-Premier and Minister of Education and submit the resolutions passed by tlie'®fconference. This concluded the business.