The Thames Star. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1912. EDITORIAL.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10314, 6 August 1912, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1912. EDITORIAL.

EDUCATION COMMISSION. -—^— ~ .

SOME IMPORTANT IRiECOMMEiNDATIONS.

The Education Commission in ita report '.recommends the appointment of a Council of Education composed oj a Minister, directors of educa^ tion, supervisor of technical edur<a, tion, and Welve other members representing inspectors, education hoards, producing industries, certificated teachers, and New* Zealand University. This Oouniciil is to report to the Ministen on all matters connected with rational edtication, to prepare' uniform code of regulations, make provision for salaries for grants, scholarships, and free places and control of the department generally. The education boards should be reduced to five, with twelvte members each.. School boards of seven members are to be established in boroughs of over 8000, and in places with less if the electors so desire. Their funds are to consist of £5 per pupil and the Government is to subsidise on voluntary contributions, local rates, or bequests. When there are no school boards committees are to be set up with not less than two 01' more than ten '.schools in their charge. In each education board district there should be one inspector at from £600 to £650, two at £500 to £550, and others at £400 to ,£450 a.9 approved by the directors. 'Wealing' with finance the report shows that in eleven years the cost has in'cmeased £504,000, mostly fov salaries and buildings, but the Commission does not consider that even now' teachers are properly paid, and 'nLakes recommendation for an incrofise, also that training colleges should admit more students and that the number of probationer's be incireased. The 'Commission considers £10.000 a year might be saved by reducing the number of returns supplied. Classes under single teachers should have a miximum of forty pupils. A system of grading teachers should be introduced. There fthould be an appeal committee to deal with appeals regarding promo tion of teachers. An agriculfcur.il college should be established in each island. Tho Cbmtalission regarded favourably the institution of lundersrarden training. Various reforms in tho syllabus were advocated, <&■- ---p'cuilly 'as regards enunciation, arithmetic, and health lessons. Girls nhould be .encouraged in domestic science and sex physiology should be tauffht the older mipils of_ both peTos The present scholarship syst" 11 should be abolished and a sys.-fif'-ni of free place examinations for a-i pupils instituted. Boards should "bo allowed periodically to send teaqjftera to other 1 parts of the world to study schemies of national education.