OAMARU SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 498, 3 December 1877, Page 2

OAMARU SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

A special meeting of the above Committee was held to-day at the Secretary's office. There were present Messrs. Gibbs (in the chair), Fleming, Snmpter, Falconer, Evans, Barclay, Liddle, and Hardy (Secretary). PROPOSED EXAMINATION. The following correspondence was read from teachers in the schools with reference to the proposed examination :

Grammar School, Monday, December 3, 1577. The Oamaru Schools Committee.

Gentlemen, —I am anxious to lay before you the o2)inion I have all along held and expressed regarding the proposed public examination.

I entertain no objection whatever to such an examination, provided it is efficiently conducted, and I feel bound to observe that the Committee has this year used its best efforts to secure competent examiners and a successful result. No withstanding this, there are difficulties in the way which cann_t well be exUaiuod in a lett.jr.

Whatever action is contemplated in reference to the proposed examination. I trust it will be borne in mind that the teachers of this school, so far from being unwilling to have their work tested, are quite prepared to co-operate with the Committee in any scheme that will meet the reasonable claims of all parties interested —of the Committee, as representatives of the public, on the one hand, and of the teachers on the other. I remain, Gentlemen, Yours faithfully, J. Thornton.

Whatever decision is arrived at, I hope the pupils will not be allowed to surfer in the matter of prizes. Indeed, after the promises that have been made to them, something must be done.

Oamaru, November 27. 1577. To the Committee of the Oamaru Schools — (lentlemen, —As I have on all former occasions myself ch"scn the examiners for the sewing. I beg to inform yon that i shall do so at the forthcoming examination. I object stonily to any teacher in the district, whether of a public or private school, examining in my depa tment. I am, gentlemen, Youis obediently, S. C. Cleaky.

Oamaru, November 30, 1577. To the Oamaru Schools Committee—

Gentlemen, —I beg respectfully to object to any teacher in the district being an examiner of my department at the ensuing examinations. Such is contrary to the " Ordinance," and cannot be enforced. I am, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, Mary Crawford. After some discussion,

Mr. Sumpter moved, and Mr. Fleming seconded, " That as the Education Board (through its Secretary) has given and made public an opinion to the effect 'that no other person than the Board's Inspector, whether invited by the School Committee or not, can claim the right to enter a school for the purpose of examining the scholars, or to require the teacher to examine them,' the Committee think that it would be inexpedient to arrange for examination on sufferance only, and in order to avoid unpleasantness, agree that the resolution as to an examination being held be rescinded." The motion was carried.

Mr. Sninpter then moved, "That the Committee further desire respectfully to express their dissent from the interpretation given to the Ordinauce by the Secretary, as the Ordinance in section 17 prescribes that Committees 'shall generally have the entire management of educational matters within the district,' and think that section 11, referred to by the Secretary, is only a provision made to empower the Board to examine through its Inspector, and in no way prohibits arrangements being made for examination at other times by the Committee in person or by their appointees." Mr. Evans seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr. Sumpter also moved, "That the Committee, however, think it inadvisable at the present time to raise the question, as the new Act, it is expected, will soon be in operation ; at the same time the Committee dvsire to express as their opinion that alt'-ough there may be s.m* objections to public examinations, still they believe that whilst offering to the public pn opportunity of personally becoming acquainted with the work carried on in the schools, they also induce parents to take a greater interest in the cause of education, and also operate beneficially on the schools themselves.''

This was seconded by Mr. Liddell, and carried.

It was resolved to send copies of the foregoing resolutions to the head masters of the various schools.

SCHOOL PHIZES,

After some discussion as to the advisability of the Committee taking steps to

obtain prizes to be awarded to the scholars, in accordance •with a former resolution, seeing that there was to be no public examination.

Mr. Fleming moved, and Mr. Barclay seconded, " That under the circumstances this Committee take no further steps for collecting money for prizes this year." Mr. Evans moved, as an amendment, " That in accordance with the intention expressed by resolution on a former occasion, the Committee endeavour to obtain funds by public subscription for prizes to be awarded to scholars who have excelled in sc iool work during the year." This lapsed for the want of a seconder. Mr. Sumpter then moved as an amendment, "That whereas it was decided by a previous resolution that two-thirds of the funds to be given for prizes be awarded for marks obtained during the school session, and the remainder at the public examination, and whereas it has since been decided to hold no public examination : Resolved that in order to prevent disappointment on the part of the pupils, the whole of any money that may be raised by public contribution be devoted to the purchase of prizes to be given to those pupils who have obtained the greatest number of marks in their respective classes." Mr. Liddell seconded the amendment. On the question being put, the amendment was negatived, and Mr. Fleming's motion carried. THE LETTERS FROM THE TEACHERS. It was resolved, " That the letters from the lady teachers be acknowledged, and that copies of tho same be sent to the Rector and to the Education Board ; and that the Secretary express to the writers the regret of the Committee that the terms in which they are couched prevent the Committee forwarding any reply thereto." THE EDUCATION BOARD. It was further resolved to send copies of the local papers containing the report of the meeting to the Chairman and Secretary of the Education Board, Tile Committee tiieii adjoin lied.