DISCIPLINING TEACHERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 209, 23 November 1927, Page 2

DISCIPLINING TEACHERS

PROTEST BY INSTITUTE Protests against the proposed clause in the Education Bill, giving power to education boards to inflict fines on teachers, have been made by the staffs of several city schools. The Auckland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute has now taken up the subject, and yesterday passed a stronglyworded resolution which will be forwarded to the Minister of Education. “The Auckland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute,’’ says the resolution, “views with grave concern and distaste the proposal included in the Education Bill to inflict lines on teachers. It considers that a slur has been cast on a profession, the honesty of purpose of which will bear comparison with any other profession. “It considers that education boards have already in their possession the machinery for adequate punishment where it is necessary, and that such punishments have been wisely determined in the very small percentage of cases occurring. No recognition appears to have been taken of the large majority of teachers who are unselfishly rendering valuable services outside their offieial duties. “The belief cannot be held that the boards desire to be placed in the position of petty tyrants. Teachers in New Zealand are just as jealous of the honour of their profession as are the members of other professions and the proposal reflects no credit on the proI>oser of such an humiliation. “If the Minister of Education is dis-

satisfied with the means of punishment already in the hands of the boards it would be a graceful act on his part to consult first with the executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute, which he would find very eager to assist him in every way in upholding the dignity and integrity of the teaching profession.”