TEACHERS' APPOINTMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 March 1917, Page 6

TEACHERS' APPOINTMENTS.

To the Editor. Sir, —T see the Education Board has recommended three outsiders for the best position in Taranaki. The Taranaki teachers, because they had no chance of promotic* in this district, owing to the paucity of big schools, advocated a ''Dominion Scheme of 'Promotion," and this is how it works out. The only position in the district worth having is conferred on outsiders with lower certificates and perhaps less experience) than some of the Taranaki men. I remember a similar ease some time ago in Canterbury. Three outsiders were recommended for the headmastership of the Lyttelton school. But the people of the district would not have it, and eventually one of the local teachers, though with a lower certificate, was appointed. In Otago the first assistant is considered to 'be in training for the position of headmaster of the big school he teaches in. He can- carry on the work without hitch or friction of any kind, and isknown and trusted by the people. The acting headmaster at present at tjio' Central school has thorough knowledge of the working of the school; holds one of the highest certificates a teacher can hold; is loved and respected by the children of the school, and has the respect and confidence of the School Committee and of the people of the district. After 11 years of good and faithful service, he is being set aside for lower-eertiffcated teachers from other parts of the Dominion. Have the people of the district no voice in the matter? Have the Taranaki teachers 110 voice in the matter? Have the members of the Central School Committee no voice in the matter? The Taranaki teachers are farther away from Dominion promotion than ever, for how can boards in other districts appoint Taranaki men when Taranaki's best are passed over in Taranaki itself for some of the other districts' second or third - rate teachers; I mean, of course, as to certificates, and do not know the recommended men as teachers. At any rate, it seems to me to be a sort' of insult to the.teachers in the district and an occasion 011 which the people of the district should insist 011 securing the services oE a man they know and can trust in the interests of their children.—l am, etc., AN OLD TEACHER. New Plymouth, March 29..