THE EDUCATION BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 191, 3 August 1908, Page 2

THE EDUCATION BILL.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Duiiedin, (Saturday Night. A special meeting of the Otago Educational Institute was held to-day to discuss the provisions of the Education Act Amendment Bill, The following resolutions were carried:—"That till* meeting of teachers heartily congratulates the Minister of Education on the production of the Hill, which provides for a more liberal scale of stalling and salaries, and that the attention of the Minister lie called to the inadequate stalling proposed to be allotted 10 schools in grade Oa. Inadequacy of sltiilling was shown by the fact that in schools of from 81 to 120 there was prjvision for two assistants, wfiile in schools of from 121 to 100 (grade Ua) two assistants only were provided for"; "That the Minister 'be asked to classify separately positions held by male aad female Iteachers"; "Tliat the Executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute be recommended to urge the Minister to modify clause 7, section 7, so as to secure from a reduction the salary of any teacher whose school is reduced in grade, until such teacher lias had an opportunity of applying for an receiving u 'transfer to a higher or equivalent position"; "That the Minister be asked to make provision so that teachers wit'i twenty years' service whose salaries are less than C2OO a year, mid teachers with fifteen years' service whose salaries are less than :CltiO, shall receive the maximum .salary of their grade from 1 >.' L January, 1))'( W." It was decided to set up h committee to consider the Bill in detail and report to the Institute. Timaru, Saturday Night.

At a meeting of the Teachers' District I Institute to-day all the leaders were present. The Education Act Amendment Bill was discussed by Messrs. .1. A. Valentine, Menzies, nnd others, and resolutions were passed expressing satisfaction wilt.h the provision in regard to the grading of schools, with a reservation in regard to grade 4; approving of the strengthening of the stall's and especially of the substitution of assistants for pupil teachers; approving of the appointment of probationers and generally of the provisions re salaries, except that the stale for first assistants in district high schools should be more liberal, as superior men were required for these posts. The amendments regarding appointments were not discussed, except that Mr. Valentine pointed out thai there is nothing to compel a board to take notice of applications from another district. Messrs. Menzies, Valentir • and Thomas were elected delegate- L the annual conference.