Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-02-10
THE CENTRALIZED BOARD or
EDUCATION.

Every island district thus far heard
form Joins in the protest. though pos.
sIhly with a little less vlgOr, made 10y
the Kau Republicans against uuutnu.
ing the present Bureau OF Education rs
contemplated by the County Bill. Tn"
theory of the County Bill is local self
government and naturally the people
expect the theory to be carried out in
fact.
II may he taken for granted that the
intention Of the charter commission in
retaining a centralized Board of Pub
lie instruction was good. Often the
remark is made that politics should he
kent out of educational affairs. and as
the general impression obtains among
some citizens of this Territory that in.
creased local control means increased
politics, the conclusion was probably
reached that it would be proper to let
well enough alone in the Board of Ed
uCation.
From the county standpoint, however
the people are prepared to run the risks
of any additional politics in the cduca-
tional administration rather than con-
tinuc under Board of Education
which seldom IL ever goes beyond tho
borders of Honolulu. This city is fair
~ well satisfied with present Board
methods. and naturally ought TO be
The Superintendent OF Public lnstruC-
tiOn Is a Honolulu man. Possibly he
has made one trip to the other island
30 visit the schools since he was APP
pointed 10 Office Members Of thu
| Board OF Public instruction are all
/ Honolulu residents If single one
! OF them has ever gone beyond the pre-.
cincts Of Honolulu to give personal at,
! tCn'iOn to the schools. II is to be re.
/ GREETED th" fact has never been record.
cd The Territorial Board Of Public
/ instruction is Honolulu hoard. gain.
ing its knowledge of conditions in The
outside districts exclusively through
agents and by correspondence. TIL,
sol" personal attention this Board gives
to schools in prospective counties is
during the occasional sessions held ii
the Honolulu office II is not anI
never has been in touch with the PEG
pie outside this island.
The only claim that can be put for
ward in behalf Of the centralized BoarI
lot Public Instruction is that the cit
liens of the proposed counties are no
las capable of administering thei
schools. will show more rayoritism il
the selection of teachers. will sacrific
eIsOnal ability to personal friendshi
and will not take the same care Il
} methods Of instruction as The pr"scn
Board II this be accepted as true, tn
whole system of county government
must he put down as farce. Tn
whole scheme Of local self gOvernmcn
Is based on the contention that tn
people are the best Judge of thei
needs Under The proposed scheme tn
county builds its school houses an,
the Honolulu Beard of Public lnstruC
ton dictates who the teachers shall b
and their salaries. II is the old stOr
over again-the people must accep
what is metcd out TO them by citizen
OF Honolulu.
The compromise suggestion has bee
made that the Board of Public InstruC
lion be made up OF elective members
one from each county, meetings TO b
held once a month at the county seat
IN rotation. milesEe and service fee
being allowed each membcr i2t tim
expended.
This may meet with favor and
practical would prove q Rooi solutior
Public sentiment, however, tends t
the view that II Hawaii is 10 adopt a
American scheme OF local gelf-govern
ment it should accept no half wa
measures.