THE OAMARU MAIL FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1920. A QUESTIONABLE "REFORM."

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14039, 23 April 1920, Page 3

THE OAMARU MAIL FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1920. A QUESTIONABLE "REFORM."

The Otago Education Board, induced to take action by the Technical School Teachers' Association of Invercargill, on Wednesday took a plunge in the dark. It had before it a series of propositions from the body named —a small concern that few have heard of. and none would regard as a leader in education reforms —favoring the centring of authority in respect to "all State-con-trolled schools and colleges in each district" in one body. The Education Board was not content to accept th§ proposition as it stood, for the reason, so we suppose, that the term colleges might he interpreted to include the Otago University, which it seemingly deemed either too sacred for rude molestation or an institution of too high and complex a nature to be entrusted to popular control. So,' in the greatness of its wisdom or from sheer timidity, it strucjk out the word colleges and substituted secondary schools, and affirmed its opinion that "all primary, secondary, and technical schoais, excluding the University," should be placed under a single authority —presumably the Otago Education Board. That is not. a new proposition. If we mistake not. it was one of the dominating ideas of .a Royal Commission, on Education that travelled the Dominion some years ago at. a cost that would have built- several schools, formulated an elaborate report embodying many propositions, and ended in accomplishing very little, and that little of small value to the cause. Now let us examine this revived proposal in the light of experience. The Otago Education Board some years since , had the opportunity of taking unto its&lf the management of the Dunedin Technical School, now elevated to the dignity of a Technical College, but it did not do so. Why? The answer to that monosyllabic question is that it came to the conclusion that the school would prosper better under the fosterirfg care of a separate local board than under a board whose members were drawn from all parts of Otago, and necessarily could not give to the institution the personal care and attention essential. for its development and. the extension of its usefulness. Results have more than demonstrated the wisdom of the course adopted by the Education Board. The Technical College has attained a high position as an educational institution, and is doing a great work' that it never could have attempted under the management of the Education Board Its success has been due to local interest and enthusiasm—influences that would have been wanting under what may be termed provincial direction. To change the control would be a retrograde step attended with evil results. Let us look a little further into this proposition. If it were adopted it would mean that the Waitaki High Schools would; come under "one v controlling authority" centred in Dunedin and subjected to the

whims and fancies—aye, even the prejudices—of a body having no immediate concern in their welfare and development. Are the people of North. Otago or the friends of our High Schools prepared to witness unmoved such a change? We. trow hot it would, assuredly, involve disaster to them, for their interests, instead of being watched over locally, would be subordinated to those of schools nearer the seat of management. With some knowledge of the subject and -with a j full sense of responsibility we say that better than such , a thing should come about would it be that all authority,in education should be centred in Wellington, and from such a calamity we have reason to pray to be defended. Of this we are certain, the Otago Education Board has committed a serious tactical blunder, and. if it has any desire to save'itself it would be well advised to retrace its. step. Its own existence is being threatened by the New Zealand Educational Institute, and it cannot afford to drive its friends into the camp of its enemies. That is what it will assuredly do by pursuing the course it blindly set out upon on Wednesday. 1