THE PELORUS GUARDIAN AND MINERS' ADVOCATE TUESDAY, 16th APRIL, 1907. THE EXODUS OF TEACHERS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 31, 16 April 1907, Page 4

THE PELORUS GUARDIAN AND MINERS' ADVOCATE TUESDAY, 16th APRIL, 1907. THE EXODUS OF TEACHERS.

; It is not likely that the " I told yon so" style of argument will have auy effect on the members of the Marlborough Education Board, who have become, under the apt tutelage of the Chairman, so pachydermatous to educational reforms, withal so sensitive of their authority in determining the colour-scheme of a school porch or the dimensions of a school tank, that the existence of children, and their need for thorough and continuous education, has been entirely overlooked. The Board's perceptions seem to be somewhat warped, with the result that the Jabberwok was a more circumstance to the tangle in which educational matters have become involved. The year -to - year system of engaging teachers is one of the knots in the tangle, but as it gave the Chairman and his satellites a much-loved "pull" over every teacher in the Province it is a knot that only the Committees can unravel at the elections for members of the Board. We have consistently opposed the system, on the ground that as it destroyed the security of tenure of teachers it created a feeling of restlessness, and as it was also an implied insult to teachers it caused natural resentment. If the Board had, when calling for applications for vacancies, notified the terms of engagement little sympathy could be extended to teachers accepting the conditions and then kicking against the pricks. We plainly predicted that teachers would not tolerate the system longer than it suited them to do, and the happenings of the past few days have verified our warnings. However, as we are strong we will be merciful, and from an" impersonal standpoint review the position. Within the past week two prominent teachers in Marlborough have been offered positions outside of the Province. One gentleman (admittedly one of the best teachers in the Board's district) has accepted the offer made him, and the other gentleman will probably adopt the same course. In addition to this, it is an open secret that all the best teachers under the Board apply for every suitable vacancy in other districts. As an argument proving that there is not any desire to throw off the Board's yoke, it is said that most of the best teachers under the Board, and many others from outside districts, have applied for the Headma9fcership of the Picton School. But that argument is specious, and will not bear analysis. The teachers in Marlborough who have applied have done so probably because the salary offered is higher than that they are now drawing, and they argue—and rightly, too—that if they have to put up with the idiosyncrasies of the Board they may as well do so with the consciousness that they are making hay—even though the sun be not shining. That outsiders have applied in numbers is a tribute (o the Board's astuteness in withholding the terms of engagement. The point of view that appeals most to parents is the continual change of teachers, induced, primarily, by the Board's obstinate adherence to the year-to-year system. In the case of Renwick and Havelock the position is most unfortunate, because in each instance a new teacher will take charge of the schools only a few weeks prior to the annual examination. These circumstances should be taken into consideration by all Committees, and those who believe that the interests of the children should have first consideration (and we believe most of them are of that opinion) should insist upon every candidate for the Board pledging himself to vote for the abolition of a regulation that is vicious in principle and deplorable in its effect on education.