THE EDUCATION BILLS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4812, 24 August 1876, Page 4

THE EDUCATION BILLS.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —It cannot he denied that Sir Julius Vogel has given New Zealand a position that few ever thought it would have attained in this generation, and his last victory over the separationists will enable him to consolidate his work. [But much remains to be done, andi as a teacher I would venture, with your permission, to point out a few defects in the proposed Education Bill. I am quite certain that if I succeed in getting our Premier to adopt the few suggestions I intend making, he will be the means of doing the colony as much service as his financial success, great as it undoubtedly is, will accomplish. The new Bill proposes to leave teachers, so far as their status is’ concerned, in much the same position as they hold at present, that is, at the mercy of the parents in the greater portion of the colony. All conversant with the subject are aware how ill-giounded our senior pupils are. Even Professor Sale, residing in Dunedin, where so much money has been spent on education, raises his voice against the unsoundness of the secondary education, and all acquainted with the matter know that this runs downs to the lowest classes. How is this t The reason is very plain. The parents, understanding little or nothing of the matter, have the entire control, and to please them teachers, in self-protection, are forced to push their classes rapidly from book to book. If they do not please the parents they must leave. It is easy saying teachers should hot do this. But when it is considered how poorly they are paid, and that to have to resign or leave a school has a most damaging effect on their prospects, as well as entailing au expense they can ill afford, the present unsoundness can be understood. There are many other reasons equally strong why control over teachers should be taken from the committees. Their religious opinions, political bias, and even their nationality, often provoke ill-feeling against them; and in small to wnships the people with whom they do not deal bear them a grudge. If a return asking for the number of forced resignations and dismissals of teachers in Otago and Canterbury for the past five years, with the causes, were forthcoming, it would be seen that the number would be out of all proportion to the possible offences of any one class of men. It is, I think, elear that ignorant men cannot be entrusted with the management of anything requiring skill in any department of life. The expenditure of a few pounds of rate*

necessitates the employment- of a skilled inspector, and yet the appointment, comfort,'or ruin of a teacher is left in the hands of men whom their constituents would scarcely, entrust with the construction of a drain. The appointment and dismissal if need be of teachers should be in the hands of competent authorities. This system is now adopted in other countries and neighboring colonies. lam certain that any person who takes an interest in education will admit that to have soundness of education teachers must be ulitrammelled by the ignorant, and taking the. importance of their work into account, that assiduity and success should ensure their reward am} promotion. I hold that education is sccoShJ 'to"no other Colonial or Imperial quesfitm '; and hope that, having done so much for the colony, our Premier will turn his attention to the placing of teachers in abetter position.—l am, &0., ■ , An Old Schoolmaster.