GRADING TEACHERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1924, Page 4

GRADING TEACHERS.

I.YSPKTD >RS FIX'D AIaBKED CXIFOKAII I V. AVKLI.IXOTOX. July 21. Consideration of the efficiently of the grading system in the light of the iotent interchange of .senior inspector:- of s. hi.:;!.s all over New Zealand, was the main object of a conference of umior inspectors with the Director of Education and the Chief Ins e tor. which has just concluded. In 0; tuber last the Alinister if Education (lion. C. .J. I’arr) decided, after a eon’ereiite of Education Boards and .senior inspectors, that the Chief

Inspector should spend at least one half of Ids working time in the field, and that the nine senior inspectors should interchange territories for a period of three-months as from the lieginning of .March. The Alinister explained that the deliberations of the conference, and his own practical experience. convinced him that the one prowing need in the educational system v.a.s to secure a uniform standard of valuation or appraisement. n; between nine different sets of inspectors in nine Education Board districts. The inspectors had had their tour of throe months’ duty in fresh districts, and before returning it was desired by the Department to get their experience and observations on the task of co-ordinating the standards of appraisement of teaching duty.

'Hie conference passed the following resolution: “That as the result of their experience during the recent oxehnnee of districts, the senior inspectors are unanimously of tho opinion that there is a marked uniformity in

the grading of teachers throughout the Dominion.” Tlie Minister at the same time asked the opinion of the senior inspectors on the question of writing and print script ill connexion with which there lias keen a good deal of recent public controversy. and generally on the standard of writing in the New Zealand schools.

The eonfeieitre passed two resolutions on the subject: That in the opinion of the senior inspectors the writing of Standard VI pupils is quite satisfactory. considering the age and stage of education these pupils have reached; that the print script style of writing is worthy of a free trial, and that teachers he allowed freedom to adopt it.