SCHOOL QUESTIONS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 16, 14 October 1919, Page 6

SCHOOL QUESTIONS

DISCUSSION AT THE TEACHERS' INSTITUTE SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS Mr. C. N. llaslnm presided at a meeting of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute held in the Education Board's room last evening. After the correspondence was read, Mr. A. C. Blako moved, "That the Government be asked in granting concessions 111 train-fares to workers not to differentiate' between S and 9 o'clock workers." Iu speaking to the motion, Mr. Blako pointed out that in the original Order-111-CuunciUempowcring tho council to run trums special concessions were made in the fares to 8 o'clock workers. He stated that the position was that many 8 workers earned more than did 9 o'clock workers, and he instanced tho case of tho junior teachers, lie thought that a better distinction would be between those who paid iucomo tax and those who did not. . .■■ There was no discussion, arid the motion was passed. Mr. Blake also moved that tho motion passed be niado a remit for tho annual meeting. Remits for tiie coming annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute were then considered.

Mr. A. C. Blako moved that owing to the increased cost of material for manual and technical subjects application for u larger grant be made.' It was pointed out by Mr. Kountree that tho Temit differed altogether from that of which notice iliad been given. On being put to the meeting, permission to alter the original remit to that which was moved was refused. Mr. Blako then moved the original remit, as follows:— "That capitation for manual ai.O technical subjects bo abolished; all requisites for theso subjects to be supplied as required.'" Mr. A. M'Kenzie seconded the remit, which was carried.

ih\ A. C. Blake moved: "That • in Standards I to IV sowing shall satisfy all requirements for girls in handwork." In speaking to the motion tho mover pointed ■ out that sewing, 'for somo inscrutable reason, did not count as handwork for capitation. Miss P. G. Robertson seconded the motion, and pointed out that material was so expensive that they could not find it without a capitation grant. She thought that sewing was more important than cooking. Every woman in these days should know how" to sew—they could not get along without it. She said that cardboard for modelling and paper ioi' folding was provided free, and she could not understand why material for sewing was not supplied. A yard of calico cost 25., a reel/of cotton cost (id., and needles varied in -prico. In her school they had held a concert in ofder to get money to buy material for tho sewing. Mr. W. Foster said ho would like to support the motion to a certain extent, bat did not go to the length of thinking that it should satisfy "nil requirements." To his sorrow ho had heard the previous speaker say that considered sewing more important than cookery; if that ■were so the boy? might bo given, a courso of cookery. On the motion being put it was carried unanimously. i It was moved by Mr. A. C. Blake: "That special provision be made for tho, education of backward children, so that they may receive more individ'nal attention." Tho mover suggested that, he had tried to estimate ■ how many there wevo of such children, and, on his own experience, he would say it was about 3 per cent. He proposed that a separate room should bo provided for such children (to servo perhaps two or three neighbouring schools) who should l)o placed under a sympathetic teacher.. It ivas possible that many of the children would thon bo found to ba quit© as bright as other children. The remit was seconded by Mr. Bennett, and carried. Tho next remit moved by Mr. Blake was as follows:—"That the present method of electing school committees iis far from satisfactory, and should bo nltered." Tho present system he considered was not satisfactory. The names of tho committeemen nominated wero not advertised in the newspapers, and peopfo had to vote on tho spur of the moment. There wero no safeguards to test the status of voters at the meetings, and women wero not sufficiently represented. Mr. W. Foster thought Mr. Blako was on tho right lines. They all realised that the arrangements for thrso annual meeting wero not at all 'adequate or satisfactory. He seconded tho motion, which was carried. 'Mr. W.'W. Eount.ree moved: "That relieving teachers bo paid a fixed salary." Ha said that such teachers were subject to many pin-pricks, and had to labour under imany disabilities. Mr. W. Foster seconded the motion. He said it was not tho Education Board that ivas to blaino, but tho regulations. j\s it was a relieving teacher who was working at one schocf.l on a Friday atid another on the Monday, was not paid for tiio Saturday or tho Sunday. They should be very thankful to relieving teachers', who worked under such unsatisfactory ocijditions. The remit was carried. ' . Mr, Rountreo also moved:—"That the N.Z.8.1. again affirm tho desirability of having a system of payment other than that based on avenge attendance."—Carried. Miss Finlayson moved'"That separate staffs bo provided for the infant classes on the same lines as those provided for separate infant schools."' Tho mover advocated that 'special teachers should havo the care of the infant classes. Miss P. Myers seconded the motion, and said that l those who were appointed to infant classes should bo those who had specialised. Mr. A\ r , Foster disagreed with the motion. He did lot thiiik headmasters mado the infant classes a dumpinggiound for inefficieat teachers; indeed, he always saw that tho strength of his. staff was given to tho infants. Ho thought the case should bo supported by specific instances. He suggested that tho subject might bo discussed at a fuller meeting, in order to gain some degreo of unity. Miss Finlayson (aid that in her experience eho had not known i\ny but junior teachers of the lowest grade placed in charge of infant clases. Her only n.otive in moving the motion was to imjinve t.he efficiency of thi> classes. Mr. Foster thought they should go cautiously in this matter, deferring to' Clyde Quay, ho regretted that the salaries of his infant class teachers only went to £140, whereas bo agreed witli Mr. M'Kenzie that tliey should, like the Government typists, go on to .)',220. lie believed that ail Miss Finlayson desired would bo accomplished if grade I teachers wero paid iv living wage instead of being sweated as they were. Finally Miss I''in!iy3on was persuaded to altor her motion to read:—"That provision bo mado for tho more liberal stalling'of infant departments in all schools," and in that form the motion vas unanimously carried.