LADY SCHOOL TEACHERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81873, 25 October 1906, Page 2

LADY SCHOOL TEACHERS.

MORE CONSIDERATION TO BE SHOWN. The "breakdown of lady teachers' 1 recently brought before the notice of the Minister of Education was discussed al the Taranaki Education Board's meeting on Wednesday. Mr Tisch, after remarking that he had noticed ihe subject had been brought Lip frequently, asked Mr Spencer, the Chief Inspector, how ihe new syllabus affected the teachers in thin district, and if he agreed thai it was responsible for the breakdown of ladv teachers.

Mr Spencer answered in most unequivocal terms ihat the syllabus was most satisfactory and that the abolition of the "pass'' system had worked in the interests of teachers and children aiike. It was in the mieiosts of the teacher because now he was not harassed b;. the thought that after the annual examination a return would be prepared showing the percrainge of passes in the school. These letnvns very often gave a most fallacious idea of the working of a school. Now there was a system of promotion by the teacher on the work of the year, and in nearly every case wise ciiscrc-

:ion was displayed in the promo-

tions. The Inspector (nought that very little, if any, of the breakdown of teachers was caused by the new syllabus, which pleased the teachers, produced better work, and loss strain on the teachers and children. At hist, of course, the teachers had condemned the syllabus, but now they were beginning tfl appreciate it, and were finding out that the "impracticable" tilings in it were quite practicable. Mr Tisch: Then the teachers are not complaining; there is no overloading ? Mr Spencer: Oh, no, if you only knew the relief felt by the teachers by the removal of the "pass" regulations, you would be surprised. For instance, under that system a school with 80 par cent of passes was reckoned to be 2 per cent better tnan that with only 78 per cent, when it might not be nearly as efficient, because a thousand and one liungs, such as weather, illness, or bad roads, which were not under the teacher's control, could affect examination results. Me gave a couple of instances

of the improved methods of teaching history, geography, eliminating all those columns and rhymes of figures and dates that used to be insisted upon. If the teaehers of the district were ajked their opinion, he was sure they would be unanimous in fa,vour of the new order of things. Mr Kennedy brought up another matter that affected the lady teacher principle. lie referred to the prohibition against the teachers sitting down during teaching hours. He understood from some that the'y were not allowed to sit, and this at time s was very irksome to the lady members of the profession. The chairs provided were too low for use in teaching, for sitting in them the teacher could not command the attention of the class. Could not some arrangement be made whereby the teacher could obtain some rest for her limbs without sitting in the chair? Mr Monkhouso pointed out that in the big retail shops in London stools or supports are provided at. such a height that the assistants sitting on them appeared to be standing. This struck him as being a very important matter.

The Inspector said it was absurd to state that teachers were not allowed to sit else why were chairs provided ? Of course, a teacher could not sit : n chair all day. for his or her principal work was at the blackboard. Sonic years ago, when Mr McAllum ivs chairman, lie had recommended the Board to provide some stools or supports to take the weight off the teachers' limbs, but the cost was considered prohibitive. The Inspector will report upon the cost at next meeting of the Board.