EDUCATION SYSTEM

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1927, Page 4

EDUCATION SYSTEM

MON. iU. COHEN'S ADVICE. AFCKMAND. March 2. The Him Mark Cohen, veteran odu(ationalist, was present at to-day's meeting of the Auckland Education Board. He was welcomed hv the chairman who referred to .Mr Cohen s good worlc as chairman of the 1012 Royal Commission. In the course of a short address Air Cohen said that it would lie necessary to watch very carefully legislation which the Government proposed to introduce next session in the form of the Education Consolidating Bill. Those who had the best interests of the children at heart were opposed 1 changes in the teaching staffs till the end of the school year. Mr Cohen said that lie was convinced that vigorous action was needed to maintain the efficiency of the primary schools system. r I hoy might do a great deal worse than revive the old seventh standard, for at present the first tear at the secondary school was often wasted. On the question if the unemployment of married teachers Mr Cohen expressed the opinion that the prime consideration should be whether the teacher was the bread-winner. Xo woman should he allowed to retain her p,,silion if her husband were supporting or ought to be supporting the hone-. Mr Cohen thought the Minister should he reej'.iesled to allow adequate discretionary powers to education hoards. The chairman (Air A. Burns) said that sm-h was the board's policy, and it intended to press strongly for discretionary authority. A return had just then been prepared showing the number of married teachers in the Board’s employ. The total was 1-10. an analysis showing: Widows, 22: separated from husbands, 8; married and husbands living but (a) supporting; families 10, (b) giving financial assistance to husbands 20; (e) husbands in employment, 47; no details ns to circumstances .Id.