TRANSFER OF TEACHERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 397, 4 July 1928, Page 13

TRANSFER OF TEACHERS

fourth edition

decision discussed by b BOARD NO INJUSTICE INTENDED “This is the worst and the most -just resolution passed by the board in the last 25 years.” . coedemnation of the Education coard’s action in deciding in iSTovemher 1927, that all teachers whose sal,Hes would increase through a rise r -rade of schools in 1928 should notified that they would be transferred, was made by Mr. T. U. Wells t to-day’s meeting of the board. Notice of motion was given by Mr. Banks that the previous resolution should bo rescinded and that he board should revert to its forn>#practice of consul .ring each cats on ; [S merits, after receiving the recommendation of the senior inspector. Mr. Banks said: “It does not seem fair that when a headmaster’s school coe3 up in grade through his efforts that he should be penalised. “If the board goes on with this we will find that the canny teachers are going slow in order that their schools will not go up and they will not be transferred,” said Mr. Banks. “LOST CASTE” Mr. Wells: I blame myself for that resolution. (The chairman: Hear! Hear! ) He was confident that no member of the board would knowingly do an injustice. The decision had occasioned great mental suffering to some teachers. The longer the board continued with the policy, the worse the "mess” would be. The speaker read a letter from a Christchurch headmaster who thought the board had "lost caste” by that decision. "There was no intention of any injustice,” said the chairman, Mr. A. Burns, who explained the circumstances which led up to the resolution. Promotion on merit left open a chance of patronage to some teachers. The majorities of teachers under jnotice of transfer would not be transferred because there were not enough vacancies. “The action of the board was based on the best intentions, and with the idea of complying with the grading list,” said Mr. Burns. Mr. H. S. W. King suggested that the words "and in the opinion of the respective local committee” should be added to Mr. Banks’s resolution. They should revert to former practice. Mrs. N. E. Ferner: I feel we have done wrong. "We have a grading system to work under and there should be no injustice it it,” said Mr. J. Patterson, who opposed the motion. Mr. J. Boddie said a mistake had been made in discussing the resolution with so much personal element in it. The principle involved should be dealt with entirely on its merits. On the motion of Mr. Boddie a committee was set up to consider the resolution and report to the next meeting.