SECONDARY TEACHERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10610, 8 June 1920, Page 5

SECONDARY TEACHERS

GRADING AND PAY. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. Referring yesterday to last week's conference with the secondary school assistants, tho Minister lor Education (the Hon, J. C. Parr) said that it had been very success!'ul in clearing away misunderstandings, and showing tho different parties one another’s difficulties, Ho was satisfied that the system which had obtained for many years of ruiuuncrating high school teachers by capitation grants to the different boards was unsatisfactory; and ho spoke not only as head of the department, but as governor of a high school for nearly twenty years. Secondary school teachers at present were not graded in any way. lie would recommend to Cabinet legislation which would enable the high sohool teachers to be classified, but on a somewhat different system from the primary school teachers. He would treat with respect a recommendation of tho coufercnco that there should be four grades of secondary assistants and that the infcpoctora in. oonaultuiion with, the eipiils should classify the assistants. As to the request for increased salaries, itho Minister said he could nethold out any hope at present of Cabinet agreeing to the large expenditure involved. Ho was strongly of opinion, however, that the intermediate assistants between tbfl juniors and tho principals, were not sufficiently remunerated, and do his best 'to get them some increases. As soon, as* the Government decided on tho matter, tho department would deal with the salaries on the basis of the efficiency of the tcaohu and his position in the sohool. He could see no advantage added Mr Parr, in the proposal that made for the creation of a ccntial piomo tiou board. Ho was largely «»“{«*• tralkt in his views on administration, and "preferred the present system of the boards, in consultation principals, making the appointments It had worked unite satiafactonly. and ho would not change it m the d« cation of giving extended powers to cu - trnl officers Thu Minister added that h 0 would be in a posHion .wiUiin two or three weeks to say what He mont was prep aml rto do with itspiet to the salaries of tho high selmo teachers.