The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1882.

Kumara Times, Issue 1661, 25 January 1882, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1882.

Some time since, the Westland Education Board, in meeting assembled, in their wisdom decided to dispense with the services of such pupil teachers as had served their time in that capacity. The step is at the first glance a most unwise one, and it is extremely difficult to form an opinion as to the motives which actuated the Board in the matter. We observe that at the last sitting, correspondence was received from pupil teachers on the subject, and it was resolved “ That the interpretation to be placed upon the resolution passed at the last meeting in reference to the dispensing with the services of the pupil teachers, is to the following effect : that the services of those pupil teachers who have served their full time of four years, should be dispensed with, and that they should receive notice accordingly.” Does it mean that the Board only requires the services of thoroughly inexperienced boys and girls 1 It looks very like it. When first pupil teachers take their place in a school, their education most decidedly cannot be said to be thoroughly completed, and it is only by dint of liard study, and die closest application to their duties that they are able to attain even a reasonable degree of proficiency in their occupation. They have a fair opportunity for study, while their training is going on day by day, under the eyes of the most experienced teachers. As soon as they have mastered the A B C of their profession, for teaching now amounts to that, they are virtually to be expelled from the positions they have occupied. By whom are they to be replaced] We are not aware that the attendance at the State Schools has fallen off to such an extent as to justify a reduction of the staff and the exclusion of pupil teachers altogether ; but, if such should happen to be the case, the sooner the fact is made public, the better. Again, it is well known that pupil teachers have duties thrust upon them which they are hardly qualified to cany out, even after two or three years of experience. What, then, will it be with regard to the new teachers who are to replace them ] It is just barely possible that the Education Board in the plethora of their funds, may have generously arrived at the conclusion that the pupil teachers have deserved so well at their hands that they will pay all expenses to fit them for obtaining a much higher position than they have hitherto occupied under the Boaid. It is said that it is not altogether improbable that they will be sent to College, there to fit themselves for the glorious future in store for them. However this may be, one thing is certain, and it is this, that apart from the injustice done to-the pupil teachers, the public should receive full information as to the reasons which have actuated the Westland Board of Education in pursuing the course they have thought fit to adopt.