THE SCHOLARSHIP QUESTION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2926, 11 August 1882, Page 2

THE SCHOLARSHIP QUESTION.

[To the Editor.]

Sib. —ln answer to the gist of your article on the scholarships and money, I Crave space in your paper for the purpose of throwing a little more light on the matter. After the scholarships were gained, did the Education Board give notice to the proper guardians of the children, of its intention to give the half of the money to the public schools where the scholarships were gained? Surely the parents or guardians of such children are worthy to be consulted; as they are the most deeply interested in their children’s welfare, but after six months have nearly gone by is it'fair to, be told that the half of the money fairly gained is to be handed over to the :teachers in the public schools for instruction never imparted ? Well might the injured parent exclaim : “If the teachers can show that they have any just claim, they are welcome to the whole of the money." So, Mr Editor, you only got a part of the whole truth at the'Committee meeting. I hold, that to allow a teacher to participate in the scholarship money, is offering a premium to dishonest teaching, to the injury of every pupil in our public schools. The teacher like any other tradesman gets a salary for what he is worth; and, depend upon it, when he can command more, he will very: soon avail himself of the opportunity ; if it-’ should happen that he cannot bring his pupils up to pass the standards, he will have to make room for one who can. When a teacher gives instruction over and above his duty, by all means let it be paid for by those to whom the instruction has been imparted ; but to leave a back door or a loop-hole, by which a teacher can lay a claim to money offered as a scholarship creates a strong desire on his or her part, to obtnin «ome of it.by fair or foul means. , Now, ; Mr Editor, one word more, and I have done for the present. I cannot see the force of your remark referring to a parent offering to give over the whole of the money, if it could be shown that there was any just claim on the part of the teacher■“ This is where the shoo pinches.” Who would, I ask, have a better right to get the money than the parents, who can bring up such children to gain distinction in the public school? Depend upon it, the parents are just the parties to spend the money properly, and for the childrens’ benefit; but the Education Board, by its action, would swell the pockets of the teachers at the expense of the children who have gained the scholarships.—l am &0., One Deeply Interested.