The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1888. APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1918, 14 August 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1888. APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS.

Of recent times the appointment of teachers to positions m public schools has been attended with more or less trouble, which seems daily on the increase. Majorities have been working against minorities, and outside pressure has been brought to bear m such a way as to bring into discredit all conneoted with the matter. There have been instances lately whero teachers, considering their claims paramount, have protested because Committees have appointed others over their heads. Such a case occurred at Waimate recently, A new headmaster was recommended unanimously by the Committee, and an aggrieved candidate wrote protesting because his undoubted claims had been overlooked. We have no sympathy for such a man. He should bow as gracefully as possible .to the will of the Commtitee, and the acquiescence m that -~Ul_fcgr— *-ko The appointment of a teacher we know is often gone about m a slipshod way, and it is well known that local prejudice m many cases overrules independent action on the part of individual committeemen. Tho highly-certificated teacher is not always chosen, for often the certificate is the only qualification a candidate may have ; but where other things are equal such teachers should have, the preference. Again, the condition of a teacher, married or single, his religions persuasion,"eto.^ are often grounds for .hie appointment, ancT^with' many Committees these considerations are not without weight. A teacher who holds a good certificate, who has experience, is a good disciplinarian, and withal a moral man should have an appointment over others who may apply. But if morality, experience, and discipline are wanting the certificate is useless. The mental powers of the teacher may be good, but he may not be able to communicate his learning to others, and may not bo able successfully to manage a school. At Balclutho at the present time the whole district is m the throes of discontent because of the appointment of a head master to the local school. For years a worthy gentleman has held the position. He was a man of no great ability, but he held thc place by virtue of his years and experience. The place tv as too large for his management and a new man was required — a fresh and vigoroug man, who would give to the school a name as public school. A number of good men applied, some with good testimonials and better certi - ficates, and the Committee by a majority appointed a gentleman from a fair sized country school near Oamara. Then followed a local social earthquake. One of those who had better certificates should have been appointed, and petitions were straightway sent to the Education Board to urge that the appointment be not confirmed while the local, as well as two Dunedin papers,' were made the means of setting forth the views of the different factions. The jfinglish minister as well as the Scotch minister of the district, were dragged into the controversy. * It was freely hinted that all the appointment had been made for, was that a lay reader might be got for the English Church, while the other side retaliated, that perhaps only a Presbyterian should .he appointed, and so the war of words and letters rolled on, Indignation meetings were held. Hard words were Baid about the Baccesßtul candidate, hut m spite of all, the Board confirmed his appointment. This was only right and proper. It is gather sad, however, for the new teacher to coaie into a district m the face of such an upheaval. To be tho innocent cause of so much strife and heartburning must be far from pleasant. It is to be hoped that things will quiet down and , that he may b« allowed to pursue his path of reformation m school matters unhampered and uninterrupted. If he lives down the angry feeling which his advent m the district has caused he will be able, wo feel sure, to show a good record at the cod of a year. Be- ' cause he may not possess as high a certificate as many an other candidate there is no doubt but that the Board's officiate were aware of his qualifications or they would not have sent forward his name, The incident shows, however, Low much, may be mad,e pf. an, appointment, sqd j^QW Careful n)9owHQioompQge y

committees should be to weigh well the merits of candidates leaving outside iheir own feelings and only thinking of the good of the school and what is due to the candidates. Often we know an appointment is a « cut and dried " affair, and underhand influence sways the selection. The selection may or may not turn out well, but fairness has not been accorded all the candidates. Often only a few of the testimonials are read. fc;otne of these are often long and wearisome documents and tire out a , Committee, the members of which have a very hazy idea of classifications and qualifications. Many there are on School Committees who know as much about tho classification of teachers as they do of Egyptian hieroglyphics, To them Al is lowest on the scale and E5 highest,' while tho intermediate scaleß may be nothing. Teachers selected thus haphazard often turn out well. We have known an instance m a school not so far from Balclutha, where one of the beet abused teachers who had been selected having neither recommendation, certificate nor classification, turned out the best teacher the district has seen, and one who left it regretted by all. This was perhaps an exceptional case, but we have sympathy . with a good teacher who loses a good appointment because the Committee have not been just m their estimate of the candidates, and who instead of carefully weighing the merits of each have almost m fact | thrown the names of the candidates into a hat, shaken it up and then tho first one to be drawn was the lucky one. The " luoky bag " or " heads or tails," business is not at all rare among School Committees when choosing teachers, and that it should be so is a matter for muoh regret.