THE EDUCATION BILL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3228, 17 June 1871, Page 2

THE EDUCATION BILL.

♦ TO THE EDITOB OP THE INDEPENDENT. SiE, — The thanks of the whole Wellington community aro due to the provincial authorities for taking so bold and dotormined a stop with a yiew to provide a healthy system of education for the youth of the province. Tho Bill now under the consideration of the Council goeß very far to meot the peculiar difficulties under which we labor. But I trust I may be pardoned if I express very serious doubts as to the way in which the scheme will bo regarded — should it become law in its present form — by the many. In other words, I fear the plan will not receivo that approbation at tho hnnds of the ratepayers which, considered in the abstract, it so eminontly deserves. Some slighc alterations are needed to make the proposition what we call popular. Two instances may suffice : — (1.) The retention of tho system of local committees in the several school districts. (2.) A central board containing representatives from tho several local committees. 1. I readily admit that the management of schools by local committees bus in very many cases been much abused. Persons have been returned on these committees who have scarcely been able to write their own names, and who would have been pre-eminently duly qualified to take their places with children in the lower form of the infant school. In such cases it is of course very trying for teachers holding first-class certificates to bo dictated to by such ignoramuses. This is, however, an abuse of the system, which is easily overcome by getting the more educated settlers to attend the general meetings, and take a little move interest in their local schools. On the other hand if you call upon a man to pay an education rate, I think it will generally be found that ho will murmur less in proportion as tho opportunity is given him to have something to say in connection with tho management of the system. Local Committees servo to keep up an interest in local Bchools. Their powers aad duties should bo limited to tho utmost extent Nothing they suggest should be put into operation until it has received the assent of tho I cont/al board. The central board would thus become a court of appeal, and protect tho 1 teaohers agninst local jealousies and prejudices. 2. Next, with regard to tho constitution of the central board. Tho Nelson board is thus constituted :— (Sec. 20.) " This shall bo a Central Board of education for tho province which shall consist of one person, to bo elected annually by each of the local committees, and one parson to bo appointed by tho Superintendent, who shall be a membor of the Exeoutive Council of tho province any four of whom shall be a quorum, and such board shall continue iv office until a now board shall be elected." The bill before the Council provides that the board shall consist of six members, one to be appointed by tho Superintendent, tho remaining five to be chosen by tho Council from among their number. Tho central board might thus become a political body, instead of which it should be a board comprised of men who take a deep interest in education matters. I have no doubt this point will not be overlooked in Committee, and I shall be glad to sco some change mudo in tho clause. It would would be a great pity if the Council confined the selection to their own limited circle, whon it is in their power to go outside and call in tho services of men, who like Mr FitzQ-erald and others, havo given the various systems of education their moat serious consideration.— l am, &c, L.R.D.W. Johnson ville, June 14, 1871.