TEACHERS GRADING SYSTEM

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1929, Page 3

TEACHERS GRADING SYSTEM

A UCKL AND COM PL A 1 NTS

INTERESTS OF CHILDREN NOT CONSIDERED. -

AUCKLAND, January 23

Criticisms of the teachers’ grndim system were voiced at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board to-day. Several members considered that the system was making necessary the transfer df teachers in cases where cir cumstances showed transfer to be undesirable. “We have made a rod for our own backs with this system,” said Mr H. W. K ing. He said numerous cases arose in which it was clear that parents in the district wished the teachers tremain, though the strict conditions of grading made this impossible. It was a system of thinking of the teachers before the children, he considered, and therefore reversed the normal order ol a sound educational system.

A deputation from the Bay of Plenty asked the board to reconsider the proposed transfer of the head teacher at Awaken Schosl. With the growth of the district and increase in attendance the school had risen in grade, and tlie head teacher now occupied a position on the grading list which placed him considerably below other teachers who were available for appointment to the position. “ In cases like this we should endeavour to follow the wishes of the community,” Mr King said. Mr A. Burns, chairman of the board, explained that a rise in grade meant an increase in salary of £ls, and that the only course open for the board was to appoint a teacher of higher grade. Mr R. Hoe suggested departure from the strict detail of the regulations to meet the wishes of the parents, hut this, the chairman replied, could not be done without affecting the interests of others and acting in an inconsistent manner. Mr Hoe: Of course it is the whole system that is wrong. A teacher should be allowed to remain in a school if lie is found suitable, and he should be enabled to grow with it instead of being subject to continual transfer to make way for someone else. Mr E. C. Banks: The'arrangement is upside down at the present time, and it is unfortunate.

With this view the chairman agreed, but added that a transfer might not he made until twelve months or more after it was decided upon, because the teacher would have to be kept in nb position until another of a similar grade were available. Even then he had a right to submit considerations oppos ing his transfer. It was decided to reply to the deputation that the board regretted that under the system it had no alternative but to adhere to tlie grading list.