SORRY PLIGHT

NZ Truth, Issue 1183, 2 August 1928, Page 6

SORRY PLIGHT

Injustice Suffered - By Teachers Whoever holds . the key to . the door of political cold storage must '' be amazed at the way m which the succulent, red-herring cry of "Education, education," retains its freshness, despite the monotonous frequency with which it is dragged out, year after year. WfHEN the subject is tacked on the .blackboard of the Big Talking School, it does little more than inspire an incoherent mumble- jumble of regrets, ejaculations and resolves from the politician-students assembled, education being a subject which, like the i old game of diabolo, may be tossed about from lip to lip — pretty to observe, but one which may safely, be left to itself. ..••':."'... The methods of appointing teachers to advertised positions, and the many ways m which the system is abused, is a subject of no little moment to the profession, as it appears that a number of appointments are made with little or no cognisance of individual merit. For many years the Sole control of appointments was vested m the authority of the local, education boards,' but m 1920 the sense of power m. which boards had ensheathed themselves .was taken away by the introduction of ythe grading list, whereby teachers received' transfers on promotion, or to schools offering better circumstances solely by virtue of their ability and academifc distinction. . ■ At least, that was the under-;;' lying promise, and, on the face ftf • ■ it, that appeared, to be the true : , position. X When a position became vacant, the district education board would advertise, and when it had selected the more likely applicants, these names were submitted to the, senior inspector. But there the matter did not end, unfortunately, for the calm, reflection of teachers. ; . NO RIGHT OF APPEAL •In a number of instances the teacher, selected by the joint scrutiny of board and senior inspector, was ' refused by the local school committee, irrespective of attainments or suitability, and when the unfortunate applicant asked* for a reason, none was vouchsafed--nor had he or she the statutory right of appeal. Even the scrubbiest junior m", other-branches-of--the public service has the. inalienable right to appeal against what he .may consider an injustice. ', It is nothing, short of iniquitous that men and women who contribute so much towards the . guidance .of New' Zealand children m *the most potential period- of their .lives, should have meekly to bow their heads.to a; system of. prejudice and . favoritism, .'without the • slightest opportunity of seeking the reason for their being passed over. ; At the- present time there is an".-! agitation among th'e '..^.profession ■-' 1 that legislation shall be brought down, this, session, whereby they shall be. given the right to appeal against! their, non-appointment;n -appointment; when. teachers of lesser degree, and ' • lower grading are given p're'ced- ' •.' . -en'ce.'. . ; : }' ;'. •■' ;• .'. •'. ;>; ' '..•••;.' ' „ Arid ! if there remain any fair-minded politicians m this country, they should observe'the necessity for giving support to the measure. . .•"„