TEACHERS' PROTEST.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1530, 28 August 1912, Page 2

TEACHERS' PROTEST.

ON RECENT APPOINTMENTS. "RECEIVED" BY THE BOARD. At the annual meeting of the. Welling- ■ ton Branch of tho New Zealand Educational Institute on August 2 last, somo j strong comment was made. with regard to certain recent school appointments which had been made by the Wellington Education Board. Tho elevation of the hen headmaster of the Greytov.n School (Air. A. B. Charters) to the board 3 inspectorate had created a vacancy in what was warded by tho district teachers as a "professional plum," and some disappointment was felt when the position was filled without open competition by tho .transfer of the Board Instructor ,in Agricultural Science 'Mr. Win. C. Davies) to the headmastership at Greytown. Somo dissatisfaction was also expressed at. the meeting with Tcgard to the appointment to the vacancy at Island Bay created by the elevation of the.headmaster (Mr. Stuckey) to the board's inspectorate about the same time as Mr. Charters. Arising out of the discussion at the Institutes annual meeting resolutions for transmission to the board were adopted, protesting against the appointments, requesting a definite statement of policy with regard to the board's system of appointments, and asking consideration of a local classification SC Abetter from the Teachers'. Institute, conveving a copy of tho resolutions adopted, was read at the bourn s meeting yesteTho 'chairman (Mr. R. Lee) remarked that this was a matter which tho board would reserve to itself, and continup on its own lines. Board members were fully aware of the circumstances which influenced the board's decision with regard to the appointment at Greytown. With regard to tho others, he could, only say that the board had done its best to put in the best man. (Hear, hoar.) So long as that is the case, he proceeded, "I don't seo why-well, of course, teachers may lake the course of objecting to our policy. They suggest some system ot grading—grading doesn t appeal to .mo one bit. It is an automatic, lnaemnoliko method. A man may be good todav, and weak .to-morrow—there is no rule by' which we may select the best man. Wo havo to bo guided entirely by the circumstances." - ■. "Is this scheme of grading adopted m any other district?" asked"Mr. A. H. V'^"Oh, ves,". replied Mr. Lee. And so far as my information goes it is workins with doubtful success." Mr. J.'G. W. Aitken at this stage suggested that the matter bo referred to the Finance Committee. Individual teachers were mentioned in the lotler. At any rate particular schools were mentioned. "I move'that the letter be received, simply received," sard Jlr. A. W. Hogg. "Quite right," agreed Mr. Lee. "Least said, soonest mended, quoted Mr. Hogg, speaking to his motion. The action of the Institute is quite unjustified so far as the board, is concerned, the board has a - responsibility to face with regard to its.committees. The'tcachers are the board's servants, and for- them to enter a protest of this kind against these particular appointments was very injudicious. - This question of appointments of teachers was the subject of-a discussion at a meeting of tho Wairarapa sub-branch of the Teachers' Institute at which I was present, and the opinion was unanimously expressed that the only dissatisfaction which had been shown enmo from disappointed applicants in the city. This protest does not express the mind of the Institute." . ■ Tho motion was seconded by Mr. vile., "Whv do vou want the question referred to tho Finance Committee?" inquired the i chairman of Mr. Aitken. - "The Teachers' Institute should receive some consideration," concluded Mr. Aitken. Jty own opinion is that their remarks wWo exceedingly injudicious, and uncalled for. At tho same time I do not want to throw this back at. thorn." The motion was then put and carried.