Many Requests

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 583, 8 February 1929, Page 13

Many Requests

MINISTER OF EDUCATION MEETS BOARD

SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS A formidable list of questions and applications were laid before the Hon. H. Atmore, Minister of Education, by the Auckland Education Board this The Minister met the members of the board at 11 a.m. and was welcomed by the chairman, Mr. A. Burns, who assured him of the hearty co-opera-tion of the board. The same attitude would be adopted whatever the party in power, for it was the aim of the board to keep the schools above party politics. In reply, Mr. Atmore said he considered himself a representative of the people rather than an expert. This was the attitude that should be adopted. NEW RESIDENCES In dealing with the need for new teachers’ residences, the chairman said that the board was to have received five residences, but in the last year only one or two had been secured. The need in the country was pressing, and the board was hopeful that the Minister would complete, if not increase, the annual total. “This is a difficult question,” said the Minister. “I agree that when a married teacher is sent to the country it is not fair to expect him to s-cratcli round, but the difficulty can be got over by appointing single teachers.” Ho undertook to go into the question on his return to Wellington. CONVEYANCE COSTS

To-day there was a tendency in the country to adopt the consolidated school system, and children were conveyed long distances, said Mr. Burns. The fixed departmental rate of payment for conveyance was 6d for three miles and 8d for five miles. This had been set down in the old days of horse vehicles, but it was too little td-day. In one case the department was conveying children itself at a cost of Is a head, but the board could offer private enterprises the lower rate only.

All over the world educational authorities were finding this a problem, replied the Minister. In some cases the department went as high as Is. He promised to look into the question. PAYMENT IN ADVANCE

Salaries for relieving teachers were a problem, in that payments in advance for travelling expenses could be made in advance only when the amount was not over £3, continued the chairman. This caused a certain amount of hardship. “One can understand that there would bo hardship in certain cases,” said Mr. Atmore. “I will go into the question.” MANUAL TRAINING That there was need for the establishment of manual training in various centres was the next suggestion by the board. Incidentally, cooking and woodwork instructors had to be appointed by the department. Surely, if the board could appoint a headmaster, *it was capable of selecting these assistants? . . The Minister promised to investigate the position. NEW SCHOOLS Mr. Atmore’s predecessors had promised to replace one of the antiquated school buildings in each of the four main centres, said the chairman. This had not been done, and the board would welcome a pronouncement on the subject. , . “Our objective will be kept 111 view and the programme will be carried out whenever possible,” said Mr. Atmore. WASTEFUL SYSTEM Subsidies paid by the department on the voluntary contributions of school committees proved an excellent method of getting work done cheaply, but the committees in the country were at present required to transfer that money to the board in order that supervision could be exercised, continued the ahairman. This double bank exchange cost was a waste. “I agree that the arrangement is out of date, and unless I find some better reason for it. it shall be dealt with, replied tho Minister. MARRIED WOMEN The employment of married women as teachers was a debatable subject and tho board asked for discretionary power because the husbands of so many women teachers held good positions. said Mr. Burns. In times of unemployment this did not seem fair. Moreover, married women occasionally found it necessary to apply for leave, and in such circumstances the work of the class suffered. It was claimed that married women made the best teachers, because they had the maternal instinct, but he was sure that this was possessed by every girl. “Under the present economic conditions it is not fair that two salaried persons should be in one household,” replied Mr. Atmore. “I think the board could be given the right to discriminate.” He promised to go into the question.

NEW APPOINTMENTS Under the present system of appointing probationers, the applicant with the highest academic attainments had to be selected, and the board was required to inquire from all other boards, said the chairman. This was not satisfactory. The instruction to send probationers to country schools was also unsatisfactory on occasions. The Minister undertook, to investigate. THOSE REGULATIONS It is unnecessary to have such a lot of regulations, said the chairman. He asked the Minister to go into the question of their consolidation and simplification. More latitude should be given to the boards. “If possible, preparations for consolidation will be made this year.” said Mr. Atmore! “It will be a big job. This Act requires consolidation more than any other.” Lastly, the Minister said that his sympathies were entirely with the proposal to hold conferences of boards, the expenses to come out of their funds. This afternoon the Minister is visiting the Seddon Memorial Technical College.