EDUCATION CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9337, 5 January 1909, Page 5

EDUCATION CONFERENCE.

Per Press Association. Dnnedin, January 4. The annual conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute was formally opened this morning, when fifty-five delegates were present from ail parts of the Dominion. An address of welcome was delivered by the Mayor of Duqediu. The Hou. Mr Peldwiok (chairman cf Otago Education Board), and W. S. Fitzgerald (Inspector of Schools) also spoke The president, Mr William Newton, of Thames, paid a tribute to the activity of Otago in educational matters, saying that the teaching profession had to thank one of the Otago teachers tor moving in the direction of a colonial scale of salaries. He then delivered the presidential dress, his subject being “The ideal teacher and the ideal in the teacher. ” In the course ’of his address, ;Mr Newton said—“lf the State wants ideal teachers [it must pay Salaries commensnrate"with the demand it makes upon teachers. It must give a reasonable prospect of advancement, and security cf tenure to all who render faithful and efficient service, and it will do well to call to this work men and women who will undertake it because of its nacionbuilding possibilities and opportunities.”

The annual report stated that the membership at the beginning of the year was 1815, and at the end stood at 2152, showing an*increase of 337. The executive considered it desirable to get a definite pronouncement on the question of the power of an Education Board to transfer a teacher with consequent loss to his status and salary. The executive recommended that the future policy should be to maintain and safeguard the present condition of teachers, to protect teachers in the proper discharge of their duties, and to realise, more fully the educational aspect of the Institute’s work. This was adopted. A resolution was carried in favour of* the modification and rearrangement of arithmetic as prescribed for the various standards, and asking r-’!9 Minister - to take prompt steps in th : s direction.

1c was also decided to suggest to the Department that the printing and issuing of test cards in arithmetic and English he discontinued. A further resolution was that the attention ofthe Inspector-General bo drawn to the difficulty and vagueness of the test cards in English in the upper standards of .the primary schools.