ABSTRACT
Decision-making on important issues in education is inextricably bound up with committee work. A good chairman can get something out of an unwieldy, badly briefed, procedureless and badly documented committee, but ideal size, organization and precision count for nothing with an incompetent leader. Most committees have in fact a built-m assumption that the chairman's role will continue outside the walls of the committee room. Discussion of the chairman's role has inevitably involved frequent reference to that of the secretary. The young administrator is unlikely to find himself acting as secretary to the full education committee: that is normally the function of the Chief Education Officer. An education committee cannot do this to one of its own sub-committees, but it can refer back an unacceptable recommendation for further consideration. The purpose has been to consider committees as the source of authority, and therefore decision-making, for the education officer.
