The Daily News THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1930. REORGANISED EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1930, Page 10

The Daily News THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1930. REORGANISED EDUCATION.

There can be no two opinions concerning the sweeping changes in the Dominion’s educational system recommended in the report of the special committee that has now been presented to Parliament. Although in the main the changes indicated have already been the subject of considerable discussion, now that they are submitted as the basis of legislation they will naturally need to be seriously studied, not only by those engaged in controlling, and carrying out the system but also by the parents of children and all interested in the future welfare of the country.. The proposal to divide the primary stage of schooling into two parts, the first portion terminating at the age of eleven years, or upon the pupil’s passing the fourth standard, will probably commend itself to most of those interested. Not only is there a strong body of expert opinion in favour of that course, but it should also appeal to the common-sense of all others, if only for the reason that by the time a child has passed the fourth standard there should be some indication of the trend of his or her abilities; or, at all events, sufficient evidence to act as a guide to the nature of the studies to be prosecuted in order to give the child the best possible chance of becoming fitted for the battle of life and development into good citizenship. As a corollary to the main object in view the extension of the school-leaving age from 14 to 15 years is inevitable, though it opens up a controversial matter that has been well ventilated since that change was first mooted. The principle involved in .this proposal, although in a measure not unconnected with the unemployment problem, mainly applies to the urgent necessity for avoiding as far as possible the common tendency to enter into what are generally known as “blind alley” occupations—an evil that is the root cause of much trouble and concern. Whether the extra year at school will prove a benefit or otherwise has yet to be demonstrated, but there can be no doubt of the wisdom of the provision for exemption in cases of hardship, for in all probability there will be many such cases, especially in times of depression. It is certainly evident that the crux of the proposed new system will be the solution of the problem connected with post-primary education, especially if, as is suggested, intermediate classes are to be foiuned, and eventually the scholarship system is to be replaced by a scheme o’f bursaries. It is emphasised that these bursaries are to “assist deserving pupils” to continue their education to higher stages. There are some very important points to note in'this part of the report. The first is that bursaries are not to be awarded as the result of competitive examinations, but upon the consideration of individual cases recommended by the senior inspector or superintendent in each education district. That proviso entirely removes the bursaries from the control of the university authorities and marks another step in the move for centralised control of education by the department. It will apparently also have a direct effect upon the revenues of the Taranaki Scholarships Endowment —a move that will need very closely watching, especially as the prosecution of agricultural study is deemed by the committee as of great importance. Tn the matter of control important changes are foreshadowed, the underlying factor apparently being the realisation of the departmental dream of absolute centralisation of control, in which the inspectorial staff should fill a very prominent role. Comment upon this phase of the report, as well as in relation to the proposed new conditions applicable to the teachers must be held over for another occasion.