SCHOOL COMMITTEES' CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11796, 27 July 1900, Page 7

SCHOOL COMMITTEES' CONFERENCE.

The following is the annual report of the Dunedin and Suburban School CommiUees1 Conference, to be submitted to the meeting at

the .Normal School this evening

There have been no special meetings of the coherence during the past year. On two oc-

cosiojis Ihe executive considered the desirability of calling the conference together to discusd certain questions at th.; time occupying the attention of the Education Beard, but alter due consideration it was thought- unnecessaiy to call a special meeting. There is, therelore, nothing to report so lur as the proceedings of the conference is concerned. There are, Howover, one or two matters to which it niuy- not be out of place to refer.

There are few things which speak so strongly in justification oil the existence of this conference as a record of those matters which at one time were advocated by it, and which are now accomplished facU. Among these may be mentioned •-• Ihe abolition oi the cumulative vote," "A definition oi the word householder," "The appointment of truant officers," •'The lightening of the syllabus, and the .transference or several subjects from pass to class subjects," Uniformity in the observance of school holidays," and "The establishment of a court'of appeal lor teachers." Most of these things were advocated as early as IBSI. Amongst other matters discussed by the conference since the commencement of its existence aie " The mode of appointment of teachers," '' Uniformity of school books," '' The advocacy of the inspectors being .under the control of the Minister of Education, and removable from one district-; to-another," and "The mode of ejecting the Education Boards." As

regards the election of Education .Boards, the

conference in ISB4 passed a resolution in favour pi giving two votes to a committee whoae school ■had more than 251) scholars on'its roll. Since the passing of the act of 1891, which provides for schools of an average attendance not exceeding 25 having a committee of five, and of an average attendance not exceeding .200 acommittee oi seven, and exceeding 200 a committee of niue, this conference has advocated

giving each individual comrnitteeman a vote, is. bill to give effect to this proposal has now been twice before Parliament, a"nd it is to be

hoped that the Minister of Education will see his' way to. reintroduee it this session, with greater success. Various schemes have baen discussed from time to time with the view of giving the committees a voting power more in

jjroportioa to the number of clnlaren attending their respective schools/ or the number of householders, represented, by them. While it is not claimed taat the proposal to give votes to individual committeemen would give auy exact representation, it is advocated as a simple metaqd. oi at any rate giving a more equitaDle representation than exists at the preseni time. The conference has also.frequently protested against the Education Board elections extending over cne month. The objections to tii.s have been to a cei'tain extent removed by the refusal of.the press io publish the returns. I'his, however, .docs not remove the necessity lor stiil pressing for this rrfoini. The desirability of having the inspectors placed under the control of tiie Minister of. Education might well also be again brought under the Minister's attention. ■. '. '

The abolition of the individual standard pass, which was advocated .by-the conference at its last annual meeting, lias, now been brougnt about. It may be premature yet to aay wiietnei: the change will-effect ali tbat was expected of^ it, and borne modification of the regulations' may be required to meet the altered circumstances, 'mere is, however, reason to fear that so far, instead of the children being, as it was hoped, relieved from the pressure of examination, work, the pressure nas rather been increased.

The .' executive' were- pleased to note' a revival of interest in Arbor Day,' and trust that every committee will feel it to .be its uuty on the Government holiday, if possible, or ir the proclaimed holiday is mougut unsuitable tor this part of the .colony, then,on some other suitable day, to take the opportunity of aging something in the way of tree-planting and oi bringing the importance jof tne subject prominently Dcfore the children.

The executive are also glad1 to note that the Government are recognising the importance of military training for the uoys'in the public schools. Cadet.corps are in tuture to' be under the control of the .Education department. It is<to be hoped that a great stimulus will be given to this movement, and that school committees will do all in their' power, by the lormation of- cadet corps 'and otherwise, to see that the military education of the boys is not neglected. The great privileges of. belonging to. a united Empire carry with them responsibilities and dangers, and if this colony is worthily to perform its part it must commence with the boys in its public schools. Moreover, the discipline and training, of the cadet corps will react beneficially upon the order-of tue school and the deportment of the boys. The executive, however, venture, to say. that it will lie., .a..mistake for the ■ Defence department to 'suppose .that, having handed the matter over to .the Education, department, tue' duty of tho foimer department is at an end. l*'ew of tho teachers have received the requisite' training to. qualify them to give the necessary militaiy instruction. The .Defence department should draw up suitable regulations, and'should. be prepared to supply such competent military instructors as the Education department may consider necessary for the efficient carrying out of the work. '

There are other matters of which notice of motion has been given, and which will be brought before the annual meeting by various delegates. Your committee desire to refer to one more subject only, and that is the allimportant one of finance.

The previously curtailed amount at the disposal of committees has been, further largely curtailed during the past year. The capitation giant, which was originally £4 ss, Has on several occasions been reduced, but . never raised, and now stands at £3 15s, while many additional claims have been made upon tho department, the number of small schools having greatly increased. Many of the buildings are out of repair. Reductions have been" made in .the salaries of the teachers, who are underpaid, and while we are enjoying a period of prosperity and inducements are ottering in other walks of life capable men are leaving, and will continue to leave, and capable youths will not join the service. .It is not too much to say that the Department of Education is being ■starved, and that this condition of things is fraught with great danger to the cause ot education in the colony, it is high time to make a vigorous protest and a united effort, in order to induce the Government to increase the capitation grant. The conference will be asked to express itself upon .the question. In conclusion, your committee hope that in the record of its past the conference will find much to encourage it in the' vigorous prosecution of its future labours, and that it may long continue' to. carry on its good work. . The following business will be discussed : —

George street—That conference recommend to the Education Board, re making appointments of teachers, that when a vacancy occurs in any of the schools the board should select the candidate most suitable, and appoint to the position.

Albany street.—The advisability of the conference urging the Government to form citizens' rifle corps, consisting of ex-pupils of the school, into which members of our cadet corps iriay be drafted after they leave our schools.

Mornington.—'i'o consider the question of change of Headers in our public schools—Palnierston District High School the same. High street.—That this committee, while endorsing the action of the St. Clair Committee re Readers, go further, and express the' belief that in their opinion the time has arrived when, in the interests of children and parents alike, the State should issue all school books, so as to_ bring about uniformity . throughout the coiony, and so minimise the expense to'parents Crreen Island.—Consideration of a plan whereby schools can be better warmed and ventilated than at present.

_ Anderson Bay.—The advisability of appointing assistant gymnastic instructors.