CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1926, Page 4

CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

The Canterbury Education Board met at Christchurch on Friday.' Present : Messrs \V. I’. .Spencer (chairman). \V. A. Banks, J. Maze, G. AY. Armit'jgc, \V. H. Winsor, .1.- G. Gow, E. 11. Andrews, 0. S. Thompson, AY. Johnson, R. Wild, and T. Hughes. Appointments confirmed included.— Cobdeii, Miss F. E. Muir; Rotomanu, Air A. Combe. Leave of absence was granted to. — Boddytown, Alisa AL 8. Louie • Camerons, Mr F. R . Wilson; Hokitika, Miss E. M. Bell; Hokitika. Miss N. AI. I-lavill; Hokitika, .Airs AL Dale. Resignations accepted included.— Humphreys, Aliss A. Ritchie; Kumara, Aliss AL AL Smith.

Tho Hokitika School Committee asked that the assistant master, who was under notice to transfer, be retained until the end of the year. It was resolved to express regret that the regulations prevented compliance with tho request, but that if a suitable contract from South Spit could be larrauged, the consequent increase in roll number might meet tho position. A letter was received from the Ross School Committee regarding the method of staffing. It was resolved to reply that these matters were fixed by regulation. The Department, advised tl:|it tlie cost of conveyance at 9d per mile would bo considered reasonable. A letter was received from the Ilarihiri Contractor, asking for a fixed daily rate instead of capitation on children actually conveyed. It was resolved to ask the Department whether it would pay, and the contractor whether he would accept 9d a mile for the short section now being traversed. It was resolved to advise the IJokitikia School Committee that the hoard was prepared to pay Is per day per pupil for conveyance of children from South Spit. It was decided that in future the board’s meetings lie held on the Friday after tho third Wednesday in each month. APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS. “It will he disastrous to tho interests of education,”’ Mr E. 11. Andrews declared when speaking with regard to a proposal that inspectors should he given responsibility of grading school teachers. It was reported by the Appointments Committee that the Education Board’s Association had asked whether the board wished to he represented at a meeting of the Education Committee, when a request by the New Zealand Educational Institute that provision should he made for appeal against nonappointment was being considered. It was resolved that a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Andrews, Gow and Hughes draw up and submit the b-yml’s objections to the proposal. Mr T. Hughes said that it. was not in tho interests of education that the grading scheme, as proposed, should be used with regard to appointments. They would have to appoint the higher graded teacher regrndless of his suitability. Mr W. 11. Winsor: Yes. even if lie were a inadnvm. Mr E. If. Andrews: It is going to he disastrous to tho interests ol edneur t'ion—and that is pretty strong language if wo are compelled to stick rigidly to the grading scheme. A statement was made at Sir James Parr’s farewell by n teachers’ representative, tlmt member's of education boards knew nothing about teachers, and had no knowledge whatever in this matter. I on* wish that iliat representative of the teachers could attend a meeting of the Appointments Committee and see wl'i'it we do know. Mr AY. P. Spencer : Yes, he’d find that we know too much sometimes. Air Andrews: Yes, he would. Tt would be to the detriment of some schools to appoint some men. T don’t know that the archangel himself could grade teachers in such a way that lie could say “That man is worth so much, and that man one miirk less, therefore the first- man gets the position.” We have got to find tho teachers. A mini might be unsuitable for cue position and yet suitable for another position. On this hoard there 4ire ex-teachers and ex-inspectors, men who have associated will) teachers and have an intimate knowledge' of them, and who are in a position to speak with authority.

Mr Andrews said that it was possible for these men. possessing the knowledge that they did, to tell who was host fitted for a position out of a number of (applicants. “We are not advocating going hack to a free and open scheme of selection by the board,” he said. “Rut" it will he disastrous if this scheme is carried opt.” Mr C. S. Thompson: These inspectors see the teachers only twice a year—and they are going to lie asked to grade them. Mow can they do it? Mr W. P. Spencer (chfurman) : I don’t see how they can do it. Mr R. Wild said that the parents had a right to have some say in the education of their children, and the only way they could do so was through the Education Board. The inspectors had 'a very small experience of the teachers to have the filial word. It would he, as Mr Andrews hail said, disastrous. Mr A. Ranks: Of course, no reflection is intended on the inspectors. Members: Certainly not. Mr Andrews: They would lie working under an impossible system. The recommendation was adopted. SCHOOL VISITORS.

The Director of Education wrote:— “It occasionally happens that an unofficial visitor to one of the public schools makes use of information obtained from the teaching staff. It appears desirable, therefore, that the Board should know what, visitors enter the school, and also what purpose they have in making these visits, as far as possible they should be accompanied either hv one of the Board’s officials or l>v a Departmental officer. “Tn the case of visits by private medical practitioners, or others interested in the health of the children, the school medical officer should fie asked to accompany the visitor, if this con he arranged. •‘lt is considered by the Department that no person should lie allowed to enter the schools and secure information without the authority oi tbe Board and the knowledge of the school officer concerned.” The letter was referred to the Appointments Committee for further considoartion