WELLINGTON TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4925, 5 January 1877, Page 3

WELLINGTON TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

# The annual meeting of the Wellington Teachers' Association was held in the Sydneystreet School yesterday,, commencing at 11 o'clock, Mr. Everiss in the chair. The attendance was good notwithstanding several teachers were out of town for the holidays, The first business of the meeting was the appointment of officers for the ensuing year. Mr. Holmes was appointed president, Mr. Mowbray having expressed a wish to be relieved from the office. Mr. Everiss was elected treasurer, and Mr. Young secretary. The question of a teachers' paper then came on for consideration, and resulted in the following motion : —" That it is expedient that a teachers' newspaper, for the advocacy of educational progress, be started." The secretary informed the meeting that he had received satisfactory replies from several districts concerning the proposed paper. The following additional resolutions were also passed:— 1. That in the event of a general system of public education for the whole coleny being introduced, such education should be free, compulsory, and secular. 2. That a general meeting of New Zealand teachers be held in Dunedin in January, 1878, or at any earlier convenient date, if the Otago Association shall consent to such an arrangement.

3. That a Minister of Instruction, having the sole control of educational organisation, with boards of administration, would be most acceptable to teachers.

The desirability of trained inspectors was also affirmed by the meeting, as also the following:—General classification of teachers throughout the colony, with the opportunity of re-examination in the event of any teacher being disssatisfied with his classification. That the public teachers of this colony should be recognised as civil servants. That it is desirable that one or more normal schools bo established, wherein persons desirous of entering tho profession might be trained for tho management of small country schools, where there is a number of classes under ono teacher. It was remarked by Mr. Macklin that the normal schools, both in this country and in Victoria, do not answer our colonial requirements, as they merely give instruction in the art of teaching in large and well-ordered schools, where there is a teacher to each class. Tho result being that when these young persons are appointed to the charge of small country schools, it is found they know nothing of the school organisation required by tho altered circumstances. Mr. Macklin instanced the training schools of Ireland and Germany as being decidedly the best he had seen. Other teachers present gave instances of the utter

failure of these colonial institutions as at present managed. On the subject of superior education 'in our schools, Mr. Macklin said he was of opinion that to meet this case grammar schools should be made available for the sons of mechanics and others, not to get what is usually called a liberal education, but to obtain a little special instruction to fit them for the particular trades or callings for which they are intended. Something similar is now in force in Otago. That gentleman also expressed his views on the subject of trained inspectors, namely, that for the more efficient instruction of teachers, the Inspector should visit each school for two or three days in succession; and by occasionally taking a class, would not only get a clear insight into the organization and mode of imparting instruction in the school, but would be better able to instruct the teacher in the duties of his profession, should any defects be detected. He observed that the Wellington system was, upon the whole, the best he had seen in New Zealand. It was remarked that this plan, however desirable it|might be, would involve a considerable increase in the number ot inspectors. It was also remarked that the teachers under the Wellington Board were indebted to Mr. Lee, the Inspector, for many hints on school organisation and the best modes of imparting instruction. A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Mr. Macklin for the information he had given the meeting. The standing committee was then re-appointed. A vote of thanks to the retiring president, and a similar one to the chairman, terminated the proceedings.