TARANAKI TEACHERS FIRST

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 375, 28 April 1910, Page 3

TARANAKI TEACHERS FIRST

j OUTSIDERS AFTERWARDS. j TRANSFER SYSTEM ADOPTED BY j THE BOARD. At the Education Board meeting yesterday what was described as the natui ral corollary of the Board's adoption of j the system of classification of teachers I on the previous evening was introduced by Mr. Cargill. The members unanimously agreed to the matter being I brought forward without notice of motion and lie moved, That after June Ist in the appointment of teachers the Board shall first of all consider if it has a teacher in its service suitable to fill the vacancy, and, if so ; then that teacher shall be transferred there, provided the committee concerned raise no objection to the ap, : ntmcnt; (2) that in any case where no suitable teacher is available applications shall be invited, and the procedure laid down by the Act followed; (3) that the Board* as a whole be the selection committee, and that the regulations be amended to this effect. In speaking to the motion Mr. Cargill pointed out that a school committee would have the right to raise any valid objection to the transfer of any teacher to its school, but would not have power to confirm an appointment. Tim matter of selection would be in the hands o the Board and its responsible officer* It must be recognised that no one iikl better decide on staffiii'_f than tl'i. Hoard's own inspectors. Willi regard " 'he proposal to do away with the pri.,:t selection committee of only a few ■ • iubers of the Board. lie did not wi.-h to reflect upon the pre-1 sent committee, or upon its work. But ho looked upon the selection of teachers as the most important work of the Board, and one with which members should be fully conversant, Tt was very aukward for a member, "when tackled by a school committeman concerning the wisdom of a recent appointment, to be compelled to admit that he knew nothing about the matter, but had merely voted in;- the adoption of the teachers' selection committers report. Board members should ie personally ac-: quaint-ed-with .tjie. character, qualifications and previous expedience of persons joining the teaching, staff. ■ Mr.- Trimb|e seconded '.the motion, remarking tha| as chairman of the.selec.-_. __ I - X ■■ '

tion committee, he had lioen im;.re-sod with the necessity for the ,:di.j , , u some such system as this. Cu*. s had come uniier his notice where \-hors certainly have received pn.imili";., but under the present system it was denied them. Mr. Morton supported the mo: -u!<l agreed that there was need for mi r..1 • to take a greater part in the selection of the teachers than tliey did at the im>. sent time, for, with the except inn of the members of the selection committee they were quite in the dark a* Me' comparative merits and demerits 01 applicants for positions under Ihe Botinl. Mr. Kennedy supported the motion, but questioned the advisability of the whole Board traversing the whole- list of applicants and their testimonials, etc. Mr. Cargill, in reply, said the inspectors would simplify that work. The motion was carried without dissent.