COUNCIL OF EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 June 1919, Page 5

COUNCIL OF EDUCATION.

AIMING AT UNIFORMITY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Council of Education considered an interim report by the committee on matters relating to secondary and university education. A recommendation that there should bo uniformity of textbooks throughout all secondary schools, but in view of the increased cost of books and with a view to checking too frequent changes in text books there should be published by the Department an approved list of text-books for use in secondary rchools during the first two years of the course, was adopted. The Council also adopted a recommendation that in all classes of schools the school year should be divided into three terms, and that all schools in the same district should fix their holidays, whatever the duration of such holidays, so that they are concurrent. SECONDARY SCHOOL SALARIES. Wellington, Last Night. The Council of Education adopted a recommendation that the initial salaries of a)l teachers, whether men or women, [n secondary schools should begin at the same minimum, and should increase by yearly increments for five years to £3OO, when differentiation might take place between men and women, and, in all cases, further increases in salary should depend on qualifications and ability to teach. The council also carried a resolution affirming that salaries of teachers in secondary schools should be increased.

The committee set up to consider the appointment of teachers reported that it was difficult to see how change of control would improve conditions until provision was made iSr a sufficient supply of better trained teachers. The problem could be met to some extent by encouraging promising and properly qualified primary teachers to go on to secondary schools. The committee recommended, in the case of teachers entering into secondary schools in future, that the salary of the trained teaoher be in advance of that of the untrained teacher, and years spent in training be counted towards superannuation. The council adopted the recommendation.

OTHER MATTERS. The council, resolved that copies of the revised syllabus be supplied to senior Inspectors and to the Teaohers' Institute for consideration, and that thereafter a conference be held between the representatives of the Department, the inspectors, and the institute before it is finally issued. Replying to speakers in the debate, Dr. Anderson expressed the opinion that there was nothing particularly wromj with the syllabus as it stood; it was a good syllabus, and was quite sufficient for all purposes of the schools if it were in the hands of men ftnd women who knew their business. No great change was contemplated in the syllabus, and for that reason he thought the DepartWent might be allowed to do the work itself, without having to consult anybody.

The following resolution was carried: That in the opinion of this council manv of the picture plays now introduced into the Dominion are such as to tend to weaken the moral fibre of the people, und are especially injurious to young people; that this opinion be communicated to the Minister responsible.