PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19166, 24 November 1927, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

THE EDUCATION BILL. DISCIPLINING OF TEACHERS. (rSKSS ASBOCUTIOK TZLXGEAII.) WELLINGTON, November 23. In the House of Representatives today Mr Hudson (chairman of the Education Committee) brought down tho report of the Committee on the Education Amendment Bill, which the Committee recommended be allowed to proceed with amendments. He explained that the amendments provided that clause 2 should be cut out. Clause 5 was amended so as to provide that any teacher who was fined.more than 40s should have a right of appeal. There waa a slight amendment in clause 9, and there was a new clause addted.to the Bill which practicallv made provision for tho establishment in the schools of what was known as the Nelson system of giving religious instruction. Mr Fraser (Wellington Central) regretted that the Minister had not seen fit to grant the oft-repeated request on the part of teachers for the right of appeal against non-appointment. H» had not heard a single logical argument against such right of appeal. He objected to clause 5, which provided for fining teachers for a breach of discipline. This seemed to be part of the mad rush for "uniformity,' and was strongly resented throughout the service. The clause was a grave reflection on the high sense of duty which at present prevailed in the ranks of teachers. The Hon. Mr Wright defended the clause providing for fines on teachers on the ground that there was no power to discipline teachers, short of discipline which no Board would enforce, and if they did the teacher would appeal, and no appeal board would support the Board in a case of that kind. Now that teachers had discovered the Board had no power to punish them, cases of insubordination were increasing. Mr R. W. Smith (Waimarino) and Mr Glenn (Rangitikei* opposed" clause 5, providing for fining teachers. Mr Glenn said he would do his level best to knock it out of the Bill. Mr Sullivan (Avon) said the Minister could only quote two or three cases of insubordination, yet for theso two or three cases he was casting a slur upon the whole teaching profession. The discussion was proceeding when the House adjourned! at 5.30.