EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3383, 15 January 1919, Page 24

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

ANNUAL MEETING. WELLINGTON, January 10. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute has commenced. The delegates were welcomed by the Mayor, the chairman of the Wellington Education Board, Dr Newman, M.P., and Mr Bakewell :Chief Inspector of Schools). Tho conference resolved to proceed with a discussion of the principles and chief details that should be embodied in an amending Education Bill. January 11. At a meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute, Mr F. T. Evans (Christchurch) moved—" That in order to make for greater efficiency both in the individual and the State it is imperative that compulsory education be extended to_ 16 years of age without exception, financial assistance being given when necessary. Further, that between the ages of 16 and 18 there be compulsory attendance at continuation or vocational classes in daylight hours." The motion was carried. January 13. The Educational Institute to-day continued its discussion of the motion by Mr A. E. Just favouring the substitution of a national board of experts for district education boards to control the professional side of education, with tho local education authorities administering under the guidance of tho national body. , The following motion was eventually carried—" : That there should be appointed a national board of education in lieu of the present nine education boards." It was' also resolved —"That the funct)ons of tho national education board be to advise Parliament,. to promulgate curricula, to supervise tho work of education and voluntary committees, to provide and control the teaching staff, to establish close or group schools as may be deemed necessary, and generally to direct the educational functions of the toatioa/' *