TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1926, Page 1

TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE

, CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS. [by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, May 19. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute w r as continued to-day. 3lr F. A. Garry (Auckland) presided. The principal remits adopted were: “ That this Institute repeats its request for the substitution of tho average roll for the average attendance as the basis of school calculations apart from salaries, and asks that, in tlie meantime, in the computation of the average attendance, all the half-days on which the attendance falls below 85 per cent, of the roll number bo excepted.” “That, in view of the large number of young teachers coming forward yearly from the training colleges, an effort be made immediately to secure more liberal staffing,' so that there should bo not more than thirty pupils for one adult teacher.” “ That the Minister be urged to direct that all Headmasterships be advertised as such, and that appointments be made according to the graded list.” “ That it should be a strong recommendation from this annual meeting that there should be two Grade 3 male assistants in schools of Grade 7.” “That, where necessary, school buildings should immediately be so remodelled that in no ease shall two or • mdre than two classes have to be taught in the same room at the same time by different teachers.” The importance of the rising generation, and the citizen of to-morrow, is fully recognised throughout New Zealand. This has been made manifest in many quarters. New light is thrown upon the education of the country’s youth and that of backward children by the New Zealand Educational Institute, which states: “There is ample evidence that the position in New Zealand is exceedingly grave, and calls urgently for examination, exploration and a constructive policy.” A report was presented to the Institute to-day by the Auckland branch. After treating the question in various aspects, and quoting extensive figures the report suggested that there should lie increased surveillance by those en-

gaged in child welfare activities, so that the late start of neglected children may he avoided, and so that there will be greater fluidity of classification within tho schools, giving greater faeilites for more rapid promotion where individiual progress warrants. A maximum of thirty in a class should bo aimed at. Consideration of the report was deferred.