TEACHERS' INSTITUTE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2842, 5 August 1916, Page 10

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE

EDUCATION BOARDS DISCUSSED

QUESTION OF REPRESENTATION

The annual meeting of the .Wellington District Teachers' Institute, N.Z.E.f., was held last evening, the president, Mr. J. C. Webb, presiding over an attendance of 30 'members. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, the president said that it was not" a particularly full one. In regard to the recent grading of teachers and the constitution of the N./i.liil., he would not say anything because the subject would he discussed at a future meeting of the Institute. Concerning the censorship of picture films, he said that it might be a matter of congratulation to the institute that an act had been placed 011 the Statute Book. The motion to adopt the report was seconded by Mr. J. Tamblyn and carried! Representation on Boards. Miss N. E. Coad moved: "That the Education Act be so amended as to empower the tcachers in each liiication District to elect a member to represent •them on the Education Board of the district." , Miss Coad thought that a tive on the board would bo an advantage, .both to teachers and members alike. In lier opinion teachers should be there to give a professional view of matters which had to be discussed. Member A of Education Boards did not have firsthand; information 011 different subjects, and if teachers were represented, then their representative could give the required information. It did not matter much to committeemen who elected the members of Education' Boards, who was on the board, but teachers were vitally interested. Miss Coad thought that there were retiring men and women teachers who would willingly offer themselves for election'and take up the positions. Mr. A. M'Kenzie, who seconded the motion, said that it was only rijht and proper that teachers should be represented. Watson, who spolto later in the evening, said that the teachers were only asking for what the professors at Victoria University hod got. The latter were represented 011 the Board of Governors. The motion was carried unanimously, and it was decided to forward it as "a remit to the New Zealand Educational Institute. I Grading of Teachers, "That tho regulations governing the 'Grading of Teachers' snould be so amended as to allow of every teacher receiving his or her marks as assigned by the Inspectors," was a motion moved by Air. W. W. Kowntree. la moving his motion Mr. Rowntroe said that the grading scheme had come out, anil had been bombarded right and left by teachers, aud they were not satisfied. The majority of them thought that they hail been treated badly. If the marks could lie obtained, a lot of dissatisfaction would be done away with. Mr. Caughley's explanation as to why the marks had not been given, to his mind, was unsatisfactory. Mr. Eowntree could see no valid reason why teachers should not have their marks. He was of the opinion that teachers should be told, distinctly what the Inspectors thought of them. At present they aid not know this. The motion was seconded by Mr. D. M. Poison, and carried without further discussion. Other Business, A motion by Mr. J. C. Burns: "That arrangements be made if possible-with the Education Board to deduct, once a year, from members' cheques tho amount ot the subscription dua to the institute," was seconded, by Mr. A. (J. Blake, and. carried. 1 • A . member said that if the motion was adopted it would be ultra vires, but he was informed that the scheme was in operation, and had been for years, in a southern education district.- ■ ilr. G. Haslam was appointed official correspondent to the "School Journal." Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows President, Hr. E. H. Ballachey; vice-presidents, Miss A. A. Dowdeswell and Mr. J. C. Webb; treasurer, Mr, J. C. Burns; secretary, Mr. W. W. Kowntree; auditor, Mr. C. Bary, Committee of Management, Miss. E. Williams, Messrs. I''. A. Heinpleman, C. Haslam, and B. lvean. • The retiring president paid a high tribute to the work done by the outgoing oiiicevs and committee, and a resolution expressing appreciation of their work was • carried by acclamation. Members also thanked the president for his efforts during his tenure of office. After the newlyelected president had returned thanks, tho meeting terminated.