EDUCATION BOARDS' CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7925, 14 September 1905, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARDS' CONFERENCE.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 13« The Education Boards' Conference' resolved that the attention of thi Minister for Education, be called to tho difficulty of obtaining suitable teachers for, small country schools ; the need for fixing a minimum salary for teachers of schools with at average attendance of under fifteen, ami the need for providing a more liberal grant for the conveyance of children to and from schools. Also, children in isolated places, the' that in tjcase of small groups of Boards should be authorised by law to make the best arrangements they can in the direction cf conveying such children to suitable schools 111 the vicinity. On the motion of Mr Pirnni (Wanganui) it was resolved that section 37 of the Education -Act fbe amended to provide for the transfer or exchange of teachers when such a course is considered necessary in tile interests of the schools affected.

Mr Westall (Hawkc's Bay) moved, and Mr McDonald (Wellington) seconded, that it is desirable that payment on the average attendance be abolished, and a fixed salary pubsti tuted.

Mr Gray (Wanganui) suggested that a better motion would be t'hat, in estimating the salaries of teachers, the chief 'determining factors should be efficiency in literary qualifications, length of service, and average attendance ;■ and that average attendance shoukl bo a small consideration in the matter. It was decided, after a short discussion, that Mr West all's motion should be anowed to give place to Mr Gray's suggestion and the latter become the substantive auction.

The Inspector-General J 'explained the provisions of the amending Hill now before Parliament. He pointed out that if it was admitted to toe necessary to; classify) teachers, it would also toe necessary to classify schools.-! To say that efficiency should be the mark for determining whether or not there should foe an increase of salary was saiiething he would be loth "to do, and he did not think it would bring about real justice. It scorned to him that the test jyay was that put forward in thelfiil, the salary being fixed within the "grade," and in no case was the salary less than it was before there was any capitation increment. Tho payment would have to bo according to the size of the school, ami the stall could be adjusted to th« average attendance, which would be necessary in determining the size of tho school. As to tho matter of the employment of teachers in bach blocks, the was : llow much was going fre paid for the education of a child ? And that was a question 01 policy (which -he could not discuss. Mr Gray, with the consent of the conference, withdrew, his motion pro tem. Mr McDonald ■ (Wellington) moved "That in the opinion of tiris conference a separate fund should be created for the rc-building of wornout school buildings.'! These buildings, he said, were 110 longer fit for practical use. At present the Government did not allow school boards anything for school buildings ovor thirty-six years of age which might be destroyed by fire.

Mr Westali seconded the motion, and remarked that the Department now voted the school boards £2852 in respect of ohl school buildings. Mr McDonald, by consent, altered his motion to read—"That in the opinion of this conference the Department should create a separate fund for tho purpose of rebuilding worn-out school buildings." This was objected to by 18 to 6.

Mr McDonald moved—"That in view of the rapidly inn-easing- land valueg of the colon}', this conference recommends the Government to sar cure la ml for sites for new schools In all districts where new schools are likely to he required." This was negatived on the voices. Itev. Dr. Berkley I South Canterbury) moved—"That when the average attendance has reached any figures from thirty-live to fc-rty (both inclusive), maintained for six months consecutively, Hoards be authorised (if deemed -expedient) to introduce into the staff -a pupil teacher or assistant, the Board subsequently, when justified by the -attendance, to adjust the staff to the Department's scale of staff ami salaries."The motion was negatived 011 the voices.