SECONDARY SCHOOL ASSISTANTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 277, 19 August 1919, Page 6

SECONDARY SCHOOL ASSISTANTS

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ASSOCIATION.

. The annual report of the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Secondaiy School Assistants' Association states that iui|.il this year the work of executive lias not been of any militant nature, ironi the beginning of this present year the association began an active campaign on behalf of all secondary teachers, and ft definite promise from tli© majority ot the members of Parliament that the} would support the association in its struggle for better pay and higher status. 'J'he Council of Education emphatically expressed iho opinion that secondary school teachers' salaries must lie matenaily increased, and that .the grading ot all secondary school teachers siiould be dene on the system and basis advocated in tho association's pamphlet; governing bodies of secondary schools in many cases decided to co-operate with each other and with the teachers in forming a strong deputation to tho Minister early this session, to urge the necessity of a considerable increase in cii]nta ion wherewith salaries may be paid; the .Minis- oi of Education has definitely stated that amending clauses have already been drafted having as their object the removal of certain disabilities • One of tho most important of these clauses deals with the question of superannuation The Education Department is already at work oil a grading scheme and on a Dominion scale of salary "As soon as Parliament meets," adds the executive, we hope to reneiv our agitation. We intend to make our cause a test ot 1 arliament» sincerity, if it is true ha the work which we, in common with othei teat liers do is of tho highest value lo Iho State, then we look to Parliamenttor a juooer recognition of our work. If the rainin" and educating ot our young people'up to IS years of age is'if carried out properly, the most vital prii • oiple of nation-building, then tho buildore must be paid as workmen vror by of their hive.' It members of Pail lament, while fully aware, as all intelligent men must be, of the part that educntioii is destined to play in the future of New Zealand, deliberately deny us reform with tho oft-pleaded excuse that reform will cost too much money, then tliov are deliberately stultifying themselves and crushing the development of the whole nation. The country_ must realise ihat secondary teaching is the Cinderella of the professions. No amount of tinkering with existing conditions is .topic to have any good result in the ful ure. Equally, a partial remedy ot our "I'ievaneos ivould effect very little i improvement. It would have one serious erect- it would confirm our opinion that reform is not for those who are oeg'.ecled and unfairly treated unless they are numerieally a factor at elections."