Education Commission.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 117, 28 May 1901, Page 3

Education Commission.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Tinifttu, last night. The Education Commission opened here to-day. Mr Bell, inspector and acting-secretary of the Education Board, showed thn.t the.amended scale of staffing did not differ greatly front that existing in South Canterbury. Ho thought that ASO should bo a minimum salary for women teachers; AGO was hardly a-living wage. Tn smalll schools, ho said, a female docs quite as good work as males. Mr Howell, chairman of the Board, held that the incidental allowance was not quite adequate. Ho did not—see where more power was given tofcommittces in the selection uf teaclierdv He did not think tho power of Boards slitmld be enlarged, nor should they bo curtailed. 110 did not think a [colonial scale would really reduce their powers. Women would not prefer a colonial scale of promotion, as local knowledge was best. He thought there should be some allowance for sickness. His Board did that, and found means for paying a relieving teacher. (Mr Hogten saicl this had boon omitted from his scheme).

Mr Barclay, a member of the Board, said that no provision was made for additional staffing of district high schools, and said there should be seventh, standard teaching in some secondary subjects. Most country teachers could teach a seventh standard if. a grant wore given them. It would be a good thing for education if that were done, but it would require a large endowment for the Board, or a capitation grant. The greatest objection to a colonial scale was not the weakening of the Boards, but the strengthening of the teachers against the department. Women would not object to a superannuation scheme provided teachers contributed. The Government Chief Inspectors suggested a scale of certificates. He hoped that the scale of certificates would not bo made a hard and fast rule as applied.io teachors already in employment. It would be well to tell young teachers that they must gain these certificates, but those who had been in the service a long time with lower certificates should receive consideration. He wished to sec provision made for assisting pupil teachers to go to some central training college. The teachers of Standards 4, 5 and should be males. He wished to discuss the question of district high schools, but the ' Commission declined to do this.

All the witnesses approved of a colonial scale in a general superannuation scheme. Mr J. A. Johnston, representing the teachers, safd that all were more or loss satisfied, except some females, who expressed dissatisfaction at smaller pay.