THE TEACHERS' GRIEVANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81841, 6 September 1906, Page 4

THE TEACHERS' GRIEVANCE.

WILL THE INSTITUTE ACT? A misapprehension exists in connection with the "exodus of Taranaki teachers."' A correspondent, signing himselK "1'.T.," recently wrote to the effect that by taking up work in the Wellington district a teacher could secure hi? Ai grade earlier than if he were teaching in the Taranaki district, and before a Taranaki teacher could enter the B grade. ••i\T,'' has made an error here. The certificates are of five classes, A,B,C,D, andE, and these are obtained by examination. The A and B certificates are obtainable omy by university examination.the requirements for class B being the thepass examination for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Science, Laws, or medicine at the University of New Zealand, together with the examination as for class C for reading, writing, arithmetic, music/ drawing, elementary human physiology, theory of education. The examination requirement for class A is the same as for class B, with the addition of such success at an honours examination of the University of New Zealand as is required for first-class or second-class honours, but with no limit as to the time of passing such honours examcateination. The figures 1,2,3,4. ination. The figures 1,2,3,4, and 5, divisions of the certificate, depend, two for five years, three for eight years, and four for eleven years and upwards; and, secondly on the judgment of an inspector, who shall award 2,4,6,8, or 10 marks, according to bis estimate of less or greater eftfirst on the length of service, iciencv. These marks of both series Thus fourteen marks qualify for the first division, eleven for the second, eight for the third, five for the fourth, and three for the fifth. Briefly the certificates are gained by examination, and the figures for length of service and for efficiency. The complaint in Taranaki is that the Taranaki teachers do not have their figures improved often enough. Some instances were quoted where head teachers have been placed in the fourth division for very many years past, whilst their examination reports indicate that they are very successful in their work. The Teachers' Institute is likely to take up the matter, but there is a disinclination on the part of some members to speak out and voice their grievances. If there is a class of men and women of the opinion that individually they are not obtaining fair treatment; and if, as it is reported, they have not the pluck to speak out as do other sections of the community for an improvement in their lot, then it is hard to see how the matter is going to be altered.