TECHNICAL SCHOOL TEACHERS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 81, 30 December 1920, Page 7

TECHNICAL SCHOOL TEACHERS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

APPOINTMENT OF WOMEN DENTISTS

The annual conference of the New Zealand Technical School Tcachers' Association was concluded yesterday Mr. & J, Thompson occupied tho chair.

A letter was received from the Dean of the Dental Faculty soliciting tho support of the association in his opposition to the appointment of women dentists having only two years' training, arid contending that women should'bo, employed' only as .trained nurses. It was resolved that the association supported the offorts of Dr. Piokerill to obtain trained and qualified dental treatment for school children, but that it objected to any movement which would prevent the appointment of qualified women dental surgeons. ( The following resolutions were adopted, after discussion: /.

' "That tho secretary circularises manual .training inatrtiOtors, pointing, out that since manual and technical school teachers are' being , graded under the one scheme, it is advisable that teachors of • both branches should form one association" In connection with this resolution,, it was stated that steps in the direction of amalgamating with the association had already bosn taken by .the Auckland manual training teachers. "That the Government be urged to allow superannuation on the best three years, and that no deduction be made on account of paymont for overtime." "That the association organise for 1921 a conference of teachers of engineering subjects, and arrange for papers a,nd discussions upon the courses and teaching methods in suoh. subjects; this to be a forerunner o£ similar conferences on all ■technics! subjects." This proposal was warmly supported by delegates, and it was agreed to appoint a coihmittetf, consisting of three members, to doviso the best means and the time for bringing together such a conference! "That the Department be urged to accelerate the preparation of syllabuses cf work in teohnical subjects, especially one in motor mechanics, in order that teohnical schools may be i«tidy to give instruction to apprentices' who may wish to take advantage of the recent Arbitration Court award, and that on engineering instruotor selected by tUp association, and a representative of motor garage proprietors be consulted to the t'orin of the syllabus." "That the association take stops to get into touch with the motor garage proprietors to obtain their assistance in the preparation of courses of work for students of motor mechanics in technioal schools."- , "That in the clarification of teachers, a B A., B.Sc., should rank as high as IT.A, or M.Sc." . "That tho Education Department be requested to provide motion pictur# machines and films on . educational and techBical subjects for all technical schools" ' "That the Education Department be re-, quoted .to allow 10 marks extra to teachecs who hold a commission in the Senior Cadets or who .take a speoial interest in school sports." "That the association affirm its strong conviction that - day continuation olasses should be initiated as soon as .passible." "That the association recommend that wherever possible evening class timetables should be arranged so that classes do not begin before March 1, or continue after Octob&r 31 in each year. :"That the secretary, should communicate with the Secondary Schools Association expressing the hope that wherever possible the two associations should work together for- their mutual advantage . "That letters bo written'.to both the N.Z.E.I.' and the Secondary Schools Association expressing the hope that amalgamation will be carried out iu tho near future." . . , . ~ "That technical school teachers should be represented on thd Council of J2uucation by one male • and ono female teacher, elected from -their number."That the next annual meeting be held in Wellington." ! . "That the Education Department be urged to grant Jiigher,"intermediate, and lower leaving -certificates to technical school students in tho some manner as they are now granted to students of secondary schools " Delegates felt,very strongly on this point, and considered that the granting of these certificates would, besides enabling students to go to ■university,' help to - retain students at the technical schools for a longer period than they'remain at present.. The following -remits to the annual meeting of the N.Z.B.l.'.were adopted:; "That the Education Department be ' urged to, make day continuation classes compulsory to ; the age of 18." "Tliat the N.Z E.I. consider the advisability of taking steps to merge the institute into a union." x "That teachers have at least one representative on education boards or boards of governors." ' "That a-syllabus o£ work, be drawn up for technical schools, and that the Education Department be urged to grant leaving oertificatos to technical studeuts." . The following officers were elected for tiie ensiling year:—President, Mr. B. J. Thompson rfAishburton); vice-president, Mr 3?. W.' Martin (Wellington); secretary, Miss llobortson i\Vanganui)i executive, Miss Wilson (Dunedin), Mr. Jones (Christchurcli), .Mr H. A. Jones (Auckland), and Mr. M'Willianu (Wellington); representative on tho; c.\<?cutiro of tho N.Z.EI., Mr. M'Williams.