APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21111, 12 March 1934, Page 3

APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS

♦— SPECIAL POSITIONS EFFECT ON GRADING LIST A request i'or a definition of the word "many" led to a brisk discussion at the annual meeting of the North Canterbury branch ol the New ca " land Educational Institute. A paiagraph m tne anunal report stated thai i.issatisfaction had arisen over many appointments made to special positions, and Mr 1 . f. dc Berrv, headmaster of the West Christcnurcn District High School, challenged the statement. It ca.-.ic as a great surprise to* him to see such a statement in the report, he sa d. In moving the adoption ol' the annual report and balance-sheet, the president said the year had been a fairly full one, a good deal of important work having been handled by the ollicers. Air de Berry said that he had attended every meeting hold and had never heard anything that warranted the statement in the report that. "A great deal of dissatisfaction has arisen over many appointments lo special positions, and although representations have been made to the board, there appears no means of redress." What was meant by a great deal of dissatisfaction? he asked. What was meant by many appointments? and what reorientations had been made to the board? The secretary. Mr J. Bowden. said the committee of management had waited on the board regarding some teachers who were dissatisfied about certain special appointments to intermediate The hoard had replied with the eonv of a letter that ''id sent to the board by one of Hie applicants. The Word "Many" The report staled thai the dissatisfaction had arisen o\xr many appointments? What did the word ■■many" mean? Mr de Berry asked. U.wo complaints had been received about appointments to the Shirley school, and three about appointments to West Christclmrch, Mr Bowden said. A member said that there had been | seven cases. There had been a complaint about a special appointment at the Opawa school, another member said. Miss K. B. Turner said that, as far as she could remember the committee had been dealing with complaints at practically every meeting. "I am afraid we have not a record of the number ot complaints," said the president (Mr 11. F. Gabites). "and you cannot expect us to carry them in our heads. I am sure there were enough to say 'many.' " The secretary had only quoted five cases, Mr de Berry raid. Mr Bow en: Some of the complaint* were verbal. "Does this committee listen to verbal complaintsMr de Berry asked. "Is not that sufficient?" the president asked. . . Mr de Berry: No. 1 am not satislied. Mr President," but let the matter drop A Itcmit Passed Later in the evening Mr B. C. Penney moved the following remit: "That "the New Zealand Educational Institute views with alarm the increasing number of positions a Ivcrtised as special appointments, and urges the Education Department to define the tern, 'special appointment.'" Special appointments were being applied to a number of schools Mr Penney said, and it seemed possible that the system would undermine the grading list. There did not appeal to be any reason why the special annointments should not increase until were no general appointments left. The position in the various education districts last year had been as follows: Special General appoint- appointments. mcnts. Auckland 13 -77 Taranaki . . •'"> Hawke's Day 4 t'7 Wellington .. o 11!' Wanganui .. 55 Nelson . . 7 -If! | Canterbury ..29 117 . Otago Hi 7'! Southland .1 7;i I App oximately one-tenth of the posiI tions were .special appointments, he said, and In Canterbury the special ' appointments had been about a quarI tcr of the general appointments. | Mr W. C. Colee said that the matter had been put before the Director of Euuea'ion by the executive in Wellington. The possibility of the grading system being broken down was mentioned, and he was asked for a ruling. The director had said that he was powerless as the position was in the hands of the education boaris and the senior inspectors. The position was serious because special appointments were being applied to infant mistresses. Normal school positions, intermediate schools, dN'rict high schools, and several others. The grading list was being set aside in an increasing number of places. The remit was carried.