WELLINGTON TEACHERS' INSTITUTE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2525, 28 July 1915, Page 4

WELLINGTON TEACHERS' INSTITUTE

• . ANNUAL' REPORT.

The annual report of thoi Wellington District Institute, N.Z.E.1., states that whilo tho Government is to be congratulated on the new Education Aot which marks a distinct advance in education, it is greatly-to bo regretted that the main points for which the teachers strove have not been incorporated in the Act, viss'., tho payment of teachers oil a new basis, tho appointment and -promotion of teachers on the grading wliich the, Act provides for, and the elimination of tho pupil teacher.

Though tho Act contains anomalies in salaries, .the committeo is of opinion that rather than "tinker" with the Act by securing amendments,. it _ would bo far better to_ bend all energies to tho task of securing tho new basis of payment—efficiency and service. This would not immediately remove' all the':anomalies, but they would tend to disappear entirely in the.bourse of a few years, whereas under tho present system they tend to recur.

In common with' all branches of the community teachers are feeling tho stress of the vital struggle in which our Empire is engaged. The committee rejoice to v think that male teachers generally and members of the District Institute :n particular, have volunteered to servo their *King and country.' The committee further believe that all'teachers who are capable of bearing arms and have no serious ties should at once volunteer to serve. From the critical position of 'affairs in Europe just now it is evident that every man will be needed and nothing but a serious responsibility should keep at home—a man capable of boaring arms.-