EDUCATIONAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 814, 19 February 1910, Page 3

EDUCATIONAL.

CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHERS.

At the conference of Inspectors of Schools at Wellington, a discussion took place on the committee’s recommendations for a scheme for grading teachers. On a maximum basis of 100 marks, the relative degree of efficiency was assessed as follows : (1) Service, 10 marks on the basis of two years being equal to one mark ; (2) academic attainment, 15 ; (3) teaching proficiency, 40; (4) personality (including tone, tact, influence, control, thoroughness), 20 ; (5) organisation, 10 ; (6) environment, 5. The Inspec-tor-General said he did not think anything could be said, theoretically, against the suggested scheme of grading, but, practically, he did not think the scheme would work at all.

Mr P. Goyau (Dunedin) said he did not like mechanical systems of marking. Teaching, for instance, could not be efficient without control, tone, tact, thoroughness, or influence. He objected to having marks assigned for personality. The word “personality” in a national scheme was objectionable.

Professor White (Dunedin) agreed with the last speaker. “Personality” was altogether too indefinable a kind of a charm.

The Inspector - General (Mr Hogben) : Especially in the case of lady teachers ! Professor White : Exactly so ! Mr G, D. Braik (Wanganui) said they all knew what “personality” meant. It was something in a teacher which was born in upon an inspector —something that was felt and could be appreciated. He mentioned that the system ot grading partly on personality had been in operation in the Wanganui district lor two years, that it had worked very satisfactorily, and to the advantage of the teachers generally. On a division, it was agreed that clause 4 should be altered to “personality and discipline,” and that the words “tone, tact, influence, control and thoroughness” should be deleted. The allocation of marks recommended was adopted by the conference