CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHERS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 374, 27 April 1910, Page 8

CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHERS

SYSTEM ADOPTED BY THE EDUCATION BOARD. The Education Board last night received the following report from Messrs. W. A. Ballantvne and R. G. Whetter, inspectors of schools: — "We have ihe honor to submit for your Board's consideration the following scheme which we recommend be adopted as a basis of classification: — SCHEME FOR GRADING OF TEACHERS (Total 100 marks). 1. Service, 10 (two years, one mark). 2. Academic attainment, 15. 3. Teaching proficiency, 40. 4. Personality (including tone, tact, influence, thoroughness), 20. 5. Organisation, 10. 6. Environments, 5.

"We might mention that this scheme was the one adopted as a basis of classification for the teachers of the whole of the colony "by the conference of school inspectors recently held at Wellington." The Board adopted the scheme. In the discussion upon it, Mr. Ballantyne, replying to a question, said that upon the teachers being classified they would each ue supplied with a copy of the points awarded under the various heads, and they would have the right of appeal to the Board. Mr. Cargill said that although the system of classification had been adopted by 'both the Wanganui and Auckland Boards, only Wanganui was operative. The Wanganui .scheme had worked splendidly. During his term there had ■been only one appeal, for the simple reason that the Board made it a rule that before appearing before the Board the appealing teacher must first have an interview with the chief inspector, to talk over the matter and perhaps come to a better understanding of the position, and perhaps a revision. The Board found that it coultl get more teachers for the backblocks schools -than ever before, because it was seen that good work in the backblocks schools was officially noted and recognised. The transfer system was a direct corollary of the classification system, and it enabled the Board to reward merit, putting the best teachers in the best positions, and relegating the others to the other schools. The Board was now in a position to say, "Improve, or go to the backblocks," and the teachers knew it. lie intended giving notice to move, upon the scheme ■being adopted, that the Board adopt the transfer system. Mr. Morton could not see that the classification scheme would be of great value without the transfer system. The committees, of course, would not bo guided by this "grading," and the appointments would have to be made by the Board.

The chairman said that the inspectors would set about the classification now. In his opinion the transfer system would follow.