EDUCATION BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1933, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD

MEETING AT CHRISTCHURCH. I CHRISTCHURCH, June 21. . Tho Canterbury Education Board met I on Friday. There were present :■ Messrs jH. J. Bignell (in the chair), G. W. j Armitage, W. P. Spencer, S. Smitn, I J., J. Hurley, S. Baird, S. R. Eviscn, G. Benstead, C. S. Thompson, J. W. ’Preen, It, Wild, and W. A. Banks. Appointments made, included Mr E. R. Wilks as sole teacher at Rewanui. Resignations included Mr A. L. Ferguson j head teach, Kaihinu and -Miss I. M. Washington sole teacher at Aritika. The. report of Mr W. I>. Mackav, attendance officer, West Coast, was received' and adopted. It was decided to alter the names or the following schools : Jackson to Aiekcusj Kakapotahi to Fergusons; VVaimhinihi to Turiwhate; Wallis Siding to ; Haupiri. A letter was received from tho Nelson Board regarding the department's decision not to appoint probationers next year. It was resolved to support the Nelson Board in its opinion that the Training should include a probationary year, ,and to,ask other boards-to make combined representations on tV mat ter. The annual report, a comprehensive document covering tho board’s work for the year ended December 31, 1932, was approved and will, he forwarded to the Minister for Education. The problems created by the curtailment of Govern- , ment grants is mentioned under several headings, and in conclusion the chair- | man (Mr H. J. Bignell) expresses the 1 hope that it willl soon be possible for some of tlie grants'to be reinstated. There were employed at tho end oV the year 153 head-teachers, . 203 sole teachers, 575 full-time assistants, 85 probationary assistants (rationed work), and 38 needlework teachers (first term only)) stated the report. In view of i he accumulated surplus of teachers throughout the Dominion . no probationers I were appointed during the. year. A scheme (for. rationing of. work among unemployed teachers had .boon in operation, hut it was problematical whether its benefits exceeded its disadvantages Even if the individidual teacher received a little more work, it was too intermittent to he in his best interests; on the other hand the school work was ver ymuch disorganised by the fiequonr changes in the staffing.