OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 44

OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

PROPOSED CONFERENCE. DISCUSSED BY THE SCHOOL C'OM- ' MISSIONERS. At yesterday’s meeting of the Otago School Commissioners Mr J. A. Hanan, M.P., discussing the apportionments of rents from endowments made by the commissioners between the Otago and Southland Education Boards and High School Board said that ho thought the time had arrived when the whole question of their educational system should be reviewed, with the object of considering whether the country was getting the best results or full value for the substantial education votes appropriated each year by Parliament, and as to what improvements might be mode in regard thereto. Amongst other points involved in this connection were the financial resources and financial administration of all contributing local bodies dealing with primary, technical, and secondary education. The nature and position severally of educational endowments already provided in tbei Dominion, as well as the desirability of the Government’s setting apart further endowments, and whether for secondary or primary education, were matters that mgiht be discussed with advantage. As time went on further moneys would be required to be provided to develop certain progressive and practical features of the educational system. Scientific agricultural education was a subject to which much more attention should be given in view of the important bearing it had upon the proper culture of their lands and agricultural progress in this count.i-v He hoped this subject would soon, occupy a more prominent place in their educational system, especially as applied to country schools. There was at present overlapping, and •money was being spent for purposes from which the country did not. get good value. An effort should be made to bring about a complete co-ordination of their educational system, as obtained in Germany. Ho hoped the.; Minister of Education would see the wisdom of making the proposed conference as broad and representative as possible and of including representatives of the. University Senate. Education and High Schools Board, Manual and. Technical,.--; Associations, and bodies <lire-ct-ly or imdiiroctly connected wi'tli cduca•t.kmal * administration. He believed that the outcome of such a. conference would he a number of, valuable suggestions or rcccmmendations, which would make foi sound arid practical educational progress. Mr T. MacGibhbn said there was a great Viral of force iii. tfefe remarks made by Mr Hanan. So ' far as the School Gommissioners' were concerned, their functions, oi course, weirs confined to nranaaing, the endowments in this part of the Dominion ‘and appropriating the revenues therefrom. Mr Wiliriot agreed as to the value ot holding such a conference, and in the, course of his remarks expressed the opinion, that n j discussion on the subject of educational endowments would be of interest "The Chairman (Mr W. Dallas) said that while it was .true that _ thev we.ro not dlipectly controlling: educational, ndministration, nevertheless a .discussion and an interchange of ideas between representatives preseint thereat .belonging to school commissioners and boards in the Dominion on the subject, of all their educational endowments and their administration would be <vf material benefit. Mr H a nan’s su«gegtfton was based on com mo’-.sense. It was desirable that men who had experience, on the various bodies he mentioned should meet together in. order that the various p-T-tg.e.ms of educational work should, be thoroughly discussed from all standpoints.