MATTERS EDUCATIONAL

Southland Times, Issue 19124, 17 December 1923, Page 5

MATTERS EDUCATIONAL

OVER-CENTRALISATION. ITS POSSIBILITIES EXPLORED. (Special to the Tunes). CHRISTCHURCH, December 14. Tn an address at the annual prize-givinf ceremony of the Christchurch Boys’ High School, Mr H. D. Acland, chairman of the Canterbury College Board of Governors, had one or two things to say about the centralisation system of the Department of Education. “Only quite recently,” he said, “an edict has been issued from the Central Education Office, Wellington, that in future all plans for any future school building must be prepared at the Head Office, Wellington. The object was to save expense. I think that for every pound which is saved in architects’ fees there will be hundreds of pounds squandered in other directions. When the plans are prepared on the spot they can be given much more attention than when prepared elsewhere.” “Within the last few days,” he continued, “another edict has been issued that the Board of Governors in future could not use any incidental money for prizes. I suppose parents in the future will have to provide money for the boys’ prizes. This system of centralisation will go on and go on and I do not know where it will end. Perhaps in time it will be quite possible to get rid of the masters; it would certainly save expense. The Central Office in Wellington would then have a broadcasting station, when a master would prest a button and the boys could all have their lessons at the same time. This would be a much cheaper system than the present one and masters’ fees would be saved,” MR SIDEY’S COMPLAINT. (Per United Press Association.) DUNEDIN, December 16. Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., replying to Hofe. G. J. Anderson, reiterates that there has been delay in the transaction of educational business owing to the absence of Hon. C. J. Parr in Australia and states, in support, that the Otago University Council was distinctly informed that no authority could be given regarding the Dental School till the Minister’s return, although the Council was now ready to call tenders therefor. Mr Sidey concludes that he learns only now that the Minister’s absence was occasioned by illness and regrets the same. DEPARTMENT CRITICISED. TOO MUCH CENTRALISATION. NELSON, December 14. Speaking at the annual prize-giving at the Nelson College, Dr Gibbs, chairman of the Board of Governors, said that the inroads of the Education Department into the rights and privileges of the Governors were getting so pronounced and complete that before long, secondaiy schools of this Dominion would undoubtedly, unless the public took more active interest in the matter, be governed by civil servants in Wellington. It was very questionable, concluded Dr Gibbs, whether it was worth the while of professional men tp devote the time and attention they did if their powers were curtailed to the same extent as in the last few years.