TEACHERS’ DUTIES

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30469, 17 June 1964, Page 18

TEACHERS’ DUTIES

Clerical Work Unwanted

The subject of assistance with non-teaching clerical duties was brought up at the monthly meeting of the Aranui High School board of governors by the headmaster (Mr W. J. A. Brittenden) last evening. Mr Brittenden said that a committee was set up by the Education Department last year to report on the matter, but to his knowledge nothing had happened. He said he did not subscribe to the theory that a teacher should teach —full stop, but that there was a happy medium. Teachers’ talents were being misdirected and good teachers were scarce, said Mi Brittenden. “Within reason it would seem wise to direct as much of their time as possible to teaching or to activities which will enable them to understand their pupils better—not to do clerical jobs which anyone could do,” he said. The chairman (Mr G. A. Shouksmith) said the problem was probably not unique to Aranui. They should put pressure on the Education Department for an increase in the school’s incidental grant to pay for clerical assistance, he said. A letter from the Ministry of Works was read to the board saying that it was reported that boiler houses were being regarded as extra storage places, and that they must be kept clear at all times. Mr Brittenden: Where do we store it? I can’t remember a school designed with adequate storage space. Mr Shouksmith: I recommend we receive the letter without comment.

Child Dies.—One of four children critically burned by Cologne’s mad flame-thrower died yesterday, becoming the third fatality of the berserk attack on an elementary school last Thursday.— Cologne, June 16.