SCHOOL INSPECTION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VIII, Issue 414, 18 March 1881, Page 16

SCHOOL INSPECTION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TABLET. Bib, — The subject of a scheme of competent inspection for the Catholic schools of the colony of New Zealand is one which has occupied the serious attention of the committee of St. Patrick's School, Greymouth, for some time past, and we deem it sufficiently important to place our views prominently before you, with the object of eliciting your opinion thereon, and of seeking your kind co-operation and advice en a matter which we consider of vital importance to the wellbeing of our schools throughout the whole of New Zealand. We are of opinion that, in order to give each of our schools an independent status, a Catholic inspector should be appointed for the entire colony, who would make at least one visit of inspection to every school, or more if practicable within the year. We think that the question might with advantage be brought under the notice of his Lordship Dr. Moran. and if approved by him, and with the joint concurrence of the bishops of Wellington and Auckland, a scheme could possibly be matured by their lordships which would effectually place our educational system on an efficient footing-, and thus satisfy the growing objections which many of our people entertain against our self-imposed obligation to maintain our own schools. We imagine that if a general system of inspection were inaugurated tlie schools presided over by the nuns and brothers should°be included and that the cost could be defrayed by means of a capitation rate each school contributing towards the cost in proportion to the number of pupils in attendance. We reckon that the schools of the West Coast have an attendance oE about 800 pupils, our own school having 200 or probably about one-fifth of the attendance throughout the colony, so that the expense might not exceed 2s. 6d. per head, and we believe paients would willingly pay this sum in addition to the usual fees. A thoroughly competent gentleman could be obtained either in the colonies or at home, and Bishop Moran being about to leave s»on for the old country would no doubt be able to select a first-class man in England oi Ireland and as the matter could not be placed in better hands, we trust that you will at once lay this before him. Should his Lordship approve of the idea perhaps you will give the matter prominent notice in your columns. As " inspection" is the salt of education, our desire is to establish our schools on a healthy educational basis which will stop friends and enemies alike from expressing criticism adverse to our efforts, and afiord the public at large a sure and legitimate test of the quality of the education imparted in the schools connected with our denomination,— We are, &c, M. Kennedy, — H. Hat, For St. Patrick's Roman Catholic School Committee. Greymouth, March 10, 1881.

[The proposal of our correspondent we believe to be premature. There are, meantime, other ways than by the employment of an Inspector in which schools may be efficiently inspected — and with much better results. — Ed. N. Z. Tablet.]