SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17994, 12 April 1930, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

On Monday next the householders throughout the Auckland Educational District will meet to elect School Committees for the ensuing year. It is desirable that those meetings be large and fully representative, for, In addition to the election, the work for the past twelve months will be reviewed, and matters connected with local educational facilities may be discussed. Time was when the committees were entrusted with wider administrative powers than is now the case. These were curtailed, as It was felt that in some cases committee men erred in judgment, and permitted other considerations than that of the welfare of the school to influence their decisions. There is, however, now a growing conviction that in the interests of education the powers of the local committees could advantageously be extended in certain directions, and the question will no doubt be given full consideration when legislation dealing with education is before the House, as it no doubt will be in the not distant future. It does not admit of argument that the drastic curtailment of the powers of committees has resulted in less practical interest being taken in the control of the schools. Another matter that does need attention is that of capitation grants, which at present are altogether inadequate to meet the legitimate demands made upon them. It says much for the majority of the committees of this district that they have done so much for their respective schools in view of the meagre assistance they receive from the State for maintenance and other purposes. It is frequently necessary for committees to make public appeals, and launch schemes for raising funds to do necessary and urgent work -which should be met by grants from the Department. In some cases these appeals constitute a tax upon the parents, and while the response is generally generous, speaking volumes for the self-denial and public spiritedness of householders, the fact remains that they should not be called upon to make the sacrifice. This is a matter which could be considered at Monday’s meetings of householders, and the views of parents embodied in resolutions for submission to the Minister.