HOSTILITY TO TEACHERS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17116, 11 April 1921, Page 4

HOSTILITY TO TEACHERS.

■■■'■' ■'■■■« Considerable concern has* been caused to tho executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute during the last year or two (says "National Education") by what is apparently a growing tendency in some parts of the Dominion towards an attitude of personal ; hostility towards teachers. It.is usually i in country places that this shows it- j self, but there have been exhibitions \ , of it in places where better things might reasonably have boon expected. The teacher, often young and inexpert- i enced, in remote districts has none too happy a time of it under the best of i circumstances. The attractions of the ' simple life amid the beauties of Nature j are not added to when; they are accom- i panied by the possibility—it is hardly ! too muc'n to say the probability—of ' slanderous attacks, on personal character or professional qualifications, as well us threats or acts of personal violence. Examples of all these kinds of outrage have lately come to the knowledge of tho executive from several different quarters, and if the full list of them .wero published it would by no means increase the willingness of young teachers to accept service in country schools. It seems as if the executivo will have to consider the question, of asking for some special protection for teachers against actions of tho kind referred to. In tho ineanthno it would bo as well for all members of the Institute! to remember that there is always the local branch of tho Institute to appeal to for advice: and behind the branch is the executive with a substantial legal assistance fund. If any legal magnate or local bully or local termagant makes uriduo display of a- tendency to bouncer—or worse—the N.Z.E.I. is at hand tq offer protection and assistance.