TEACHERS AND FINES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19171, 30 November 1927, Page 11

TEACHERS AND FINES.

TO THE EDITOR OJ THE PRESS. Sir, —As it has always been an impossibility to assess the value of a teacher by any of the grading lists and superficial methods of testing work, so this new fining system will in no way get at the point. As for the headmaster's opinion, it is impos- ! sible for him sometimes to judge, as I he may be the sort of person whom the I grading list has slowly allowed to drift to the top. To serve under such a one is often pinpricky enough without fines. There are some heads who are a tower of strength to the staff, but there are others ——. By far the most serious consideration is the country teacher, particularly the lonely woman of tho sole charge school. Those who .have not lived in the country cannot imagine the kindly ftiterest and curiosity of the average country man and woman towards the school teacher; and this may be changed in a minute by some little careless act. to a deadly animosity that is bad enough as things are. By all means clear out the teacher who is a menace to the morals of children. Fines will do him no good. The greatest teachers I have known have broken many a worrying little rule, but have given of themselves what money couldn't pay [or. Fancy a Government degrading such a profession with a fine!— Yours „ INv ICTUS, i