EDUCATION BOARD.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2783, 18 January 1872, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

The adjourned half-yearly meeting was held to-day. There were present —His Honor the Superintendent, Mr Teid, and Mr Bradshaw. In connection with the deputation from the North East Valley, the Secretary stated that about fifteen mouths ago a difficulty occurred in connection with the appointment of a teacher to the district school. The local committee appointed temporarily a Mr Schclefield, who did not possess the certificate of qualification required by the Education Ordinance, and who had succeeded in ingratiating himself with the peojde of the district and the school committee. Seeing that the feeling of the disti ict was so strong ip fg,y.Qr of the teacher, he did not bring the matter before the Br.ard pt its last meeting, in the hope that if Mr Scholliehl were allowed to continue as teacher he might be able after a time to give him a certificate, provided that the school came up to the necessary standard. After Mr Scholefield had been ia charge of the school for about nine

months, he (the secretary) visited and examined the school, and the result of that examination was, that on November la, ne wrote to the school committee informing them that he found that the school had gone backward, especially in the upper classes, the English, and arithmetic classes in particular, and called upon the committee to proceed to the appointment of a certificated teacher. On November 16, the committee replied that, after due deliberation, and seeing that the attendance at the school had increased owing to the master’s exertions, that he gave general satisfaction to the parents, and what would be the effect of making a change, they recommended Mr Scholefield not to resign until they received a further communicatiou from the Secretary of the Education Board. So far as he (the Secretary) was concerned, he did not feel warranted, knowing the feeling in the district, in proceeding further ; as a matter of mere feeling, and for the sake of peace, he should have been delighted to have been able to have granted Mr Scholefield the necessary certificate ; but knowing the state of the school, he would be failing in his duty were he to do so.

His Honor said he had been waited on by a number of residents in the district, including Dr Buchanan and others, who expressed great satisfaction with Mr Scholefield, and requested that he might not bo removed.

Mr Simpson, one of the deputation, presented a memorial adopted at a pubbe meeting of residents in the district, confirming the action of the committee. He mentioned that the school had had eight masters in the same number o. years : and it was the feeling of parents, that to have another change, seeing that Scholefield bad only held the appointment for twelve months, would be to throw the school back further than it had ever been. The present master had increased the attendance at the school twofold ; and it was a matter of difficulty for him having only 24 out of 112 better than children to get them well up in the work of the higher classes. Besides, he was able to work very harmoniously with the committee.

The Secretary, in answer to questions, said he bad no reason to disbelieve that Mr Scholefield had been exerting himself to acquire the necessary qualification?. Three qualifications were required, viz., sufficient scholarship, good character, and professional skill. There was no doubt whatever that be had sufficient scholarship ; he was a wellconducted young man, and so far as he knew of good character; but he had net yet had that amount of professional skill to enable him (the secretary) to grant a certificate as a main school teacher.

After some discussion, in which at first Messrs Reid and Bradshaw were disposed to agree to the Secretary’s proposal in his letter of November, to proceed to the election of a certificated teacher, it was resolved to extend Mr Scholefield’s term of probation; a special examination to be held within six months.

Che Board took into consideration (1) the report of the sub-committee of the Provincial Council on the petitions of Roman Catholic inhabitants of the Province, Session 29, a resolution of the Provincial Council, Session 29, relating to the said report and petition; and (3), a memorandum on the same subject by the Provincial Secretary r t was resolved that the schoolmasters and other teachers employed under the Board be enjoined to adhere strictly to the terms of the Education Ordinance, 1864, in regard to the reading of the Bible and religious instruction, to take care that both parents and children be informed that atateudance at such reading or instruction is optional; and to avoid the use of any lessons containing words or expressions offensive to Roman Catholics or other denominations of Christians. (2). That the Secretary be instructed to take steps in conjuction with school committees and teachprs to secure thi use of such class books in the public schools as shall give the least possible offence to Roman Catholics and other denominations of Christians, (3.) That the Board express theT appreciation of the prudent and fair manner in •which they believe the school committees and teachers have generally acted in the past, in reference to reading the Bible, and the imparting of religious instruction in the public schools. (4.) That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to every school committe and every teacher connected w'ith the Board.

Mr Ferrier, of Blueskin, wrote asking whether it was the intention of the Board to establish Provincial scholarships this year. Mr Reid observed that it would be a pity to allow the thing to drop, and was understood to disapprove of the practice adopted last year of tixiug the standard so high that none would succeed.

The Rector of the High School (who was present) said it had occurred to him for a long time that it was desirable to make some arrangement whereby the Provincial scholars should not finish their education at the High School, but proceed to the University. It was agreed to establish three scholarships this year. A letter was read from Mr Hawthorne, recommending Mr Abram’s application for an extension of his leave of absence for six mouths; of an increase of Mr Pope’s saljirj' to L4(JO i and recommending Mr Thomson’s appointment in place of Mr Paterson, whereby a saving of LI 10 a year would be effected. Consideration of the letter was deferred till Monday. The appointments during the half-year were approved, and claims for repairs amounting to L 276 ICs 2d. were referred to the Executive. Waihola, Otepopo, Hampden, Waipori, Palmerston, and Maungatua, made applications for teachers. They were referred to the Executive. All questions of repairs and applications for sewing mistresses were adjourned. A schoolmaster was appointed to Waikivi (Southland). Several applications were made for new schools ; that of Outram was referred to the West Taieri Committee to report. Purakanui: referred to the Secretary, to ascertain if it cannot be conjoined with Saddle Hill. Walton ; resolved to grant LSO a year towards the teacher’s salary. Brimm’s Point (South Waikouaiti), L3O to be allowed. Stewarts Island : deferred. Kyall Bush referred to Inspector, with a mew to ascertain if the district can be conjoined. Brighton : postponed. Harrisville: subsidised for six months, at the rate of L3O a year. Papakio : existing arrangements to be continued in the moantipie, pending Inspector’s repopt. Evan’s Elat and DnyUeld; LSQ a yeajs. Numerous applications for school buildings and for the promotion of side schools, and the position of main schools, were referred to the Executive. A deputation from Green Island appeared

to support a request by the local school committee that the Board should call upon Mr A. G. Allan, the teaclier, “to substantiate certain statements made by him. or else to retract th-m and apologise for the same. We should have been prepared to have given a statement of the facts ; but in the face of the decision in Cameron v The Otago Daily Times, we feel shut up to simply recording the resolution arrived at, which is as follows; , , “ Having read over the whole correspondence the Board regrets to find that there is a want of harmony between the committee and the teacher, which, if continued, must prove highly detrimental to the educational in‘erests°of the district. The Board regrets the more to find this, inasmuch as Mr Allan appears to be a good and efficient teacher. Under the circumstances of the case, resolved, that it is expedient that Mr Allan should be exchanged into the first suitable vacancy.” ___________________