Education reform criticism

Reform of the education system in its various aspects certainly occupies much attention from time to time, and the discussion which took place at this week's meeting of the High School Board of Governors on the proposal for the abolition of that body revealed wide differences of opinion. While it may be suggested with some show of reason that there are too many bodies at present controlling education, the question as to the best method of unified control is still unsettled. The proposal to abolish the High School Board of Governors and transfer the

powers at present possessed by that body to the Education Board, itself a body whose constitution and existence are subject to periodical attack, is not calculated to inspire general confidence. Professor Thompson pointed out that if the abolition of the Board of Governors would in any degree undermine the individuality of the secondary schools then the gain on the administrative side must be considerable in order to even up the scale. There is no conclusive evidence that the advantages arising from a change would be of such a character. Beyond this there is the everpresent menace of centralisation. Whether the fear is justified or not it is very generally felt that the Education Department is desirous of centralising control of education in Wellington, and we are convinced that those most keenly interested in perfecting education machinery outside Wellington are uncompromisingly opposed to such a step.