TEACHERS & GRADING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 303, 16 September 1920, Page 8

TEACHERS & GRADING

ANOMALIES OF SYSTEM EXISTING METHODS FAVOURED Allegations as to anomalies in the eystem of grading teachers, which have been made during the Inst few months, were dealt wi.lh by the chairman of tho Wellington Education Board (Mr. T. Forsyth) in a report submitted to the board nt its meeting yesterday. Mr. Forsyth, who is also chairman of tlhe New" Zeiland Education Boards'' Association, in a report on the appointment of teachers, stated that education boards had been widely criticised for not accepting liho grading system in the past as the sole basis of determining appointment. A ballot of teachers under tho Wellington board had been taken, as n means of determining whether they desired appointment to be made strictly in accordance with tho method hitherto followed. "Tho result of the ballot," said Mr. Forsyth, "was that out of C 54 < teachers, 383 wbd. there being one informal vote. Ninety-five teachers voted in favour of Government grading, and 287 for tho plan followed bv the board." Tho Minister and officers, ho added, d'd. not deny that the Department! itself had not invariably made its appointments to the Native school service or the inspectara'.b on the basis of the grading list. The Minister claimed that the reasons for that course were valid in the ease of the Department. .. The report continued: "Tt is 6ugfteg,r ed that the board might also have absolutely valid Teasons for not strictly adhering to the grading list, especially as W is admitted that in tho past the basis of marking in different districts has not been uniform. The Wellington Education Board applied for a list of the aliened anomalies, and has been rfficially informed that the list cannot be supplied. Instead, n was supplied with a table of figures which, however clear to the compiler, are not coninrehcnsible bv 'the board for inveshpabon of the alleged anomalies. . . . The board wishes to add that, nlrhoueh if- does not claim absolute perfection .in its appointments, it does honestly endeavour to disejinnre with eqii'b- and efficiency its untv'of appointment." _ ' The action of the chairman "i explaining the gituattm was commended.