UNCERTICIFATED TEACHERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1921, Page 8

UNCERTICIFATED TEACHERS.

WINTER AND SATURDAY CLASSES. TARANAKI SCHEME. At the Taranaki Education Boards meeting, the senior inspector (Mr. J. A. Valentine), stated that a winter class of instruction for uncertificated teachers had been opened at Stratford on May 9th. The course of instruction will last for a fortnight and will be followed by tuition by correspondence of those teachers who wish to proceed further with their studies. The earnestness and enthusiasm already displayed by the students augur well for the success of the school. The hours of study are from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., from 2 to 5.30 p.m., and from 7 to 9 p.m., so that it is evident that for some of the students that the day is full indeed. A similar school is being held at Matiere, on Monday, May 23, but only two teachers will be available there—Messrs. Johnson and Insull. The courses of instruction to be followed will .be much the same as at Stratford. If conditions seem to demand it a similar school could be held at New Plymouth during the September holidays. Mr. Valentine further reported that arrangements have been completed for the conduct of Saturday classes for uncertificated teachers, pupil-teachers and probationers. The centres will be New Plymouth and Stratford, and the classes will open on Saturday, May 21. The subjects of instruction are music, agriculture, dairy science, hygiene and drawing. These classes will be taken on alternate Saturdays. Already there is a good enrolment for each centre, and given earnest, steady, effort on the part of each student, there should follow a considerable improvement in the status of many of our uncertificated teachers. The classes in New Plymouth are to be supervised by Mr. A. L. Moore and those in Stratford by Mr. Tyrer. Board members spoke in appreciative terms of the value of these classes, particularly to young teachers in the backblocks, who, owing to isolation and other causes, were unable to obtain the necessary instructions in other ways.