TEMUKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 924, 2 March 1882, Page 3

TEMUKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

f A special meeting of the above ComI mittee was held last Tuesday evening for I the purpose of considering the master’s | explanation with regard to the Inspector’s f report. Present—Messrs D. M. Mack ay (Chairman), Hayhurst, Mendelson, Rus-. sell, Htirvop, Bolton, and Davis. Before proceeding with the business of the meeting the Chairman said that he would move “That the Committee meetings shall not be open to the public. u While it was desirable that the result of the Committee’s doings should be made known, it was not only undesirable, but often positively pernicious, that the means employed to obtain these results should be made public. He had no objection to reporters being present, but he would insist that nothing should be reported except what was agreeable to the Committee. ‘He would look to the Committee to support him in this matter, viz., that nothing that transpired at these meetings should find its way to the newspapers but • what had the Committee’s approval and sanction and with that ob-

ject he would move tbe above resolution. The resolution was seconded by Mr Hayburst and carried. An amendment proposed by MrHarrop, and seconded by Mr 'Bolton, to the effect that the fullest publicity should be given to the business of the Committee was lost. The head master’s explanation re the Inspector’s report was then read, as follows : “ To D. M. Mackay, Esq, “ Chairman, Temuka District School “Sir, — I have to acknowledge receipt of you letter dated 23rd February, in which the Committee desire to be furnished with my explanation of the Inspector’s report on the Annual Examination and the reason of so many failures and so few passes, “Mr Hammond calculates the percentages of passes at the examination held 21st and 22nd December last as 57.8. This result was arrived at by that gentleman insisting against my express desire, in sweeping into the class lists the names of 15 children who were either very irregular in their attendance or who had only just been admitted into the school. These children in every instance brought a failure, and thus from causes entirely beyond the control of the teachers lowered the percentage of passes on the class list. “Deducting these names, and in all fairness they ought never to have ap' peered, the percentage of passes is 67 and not 57-8 ag given by Mr Hammond. The former number 67 must be accepted as the actual percentage, the teacher being fortunately protected in instances of this kind by the note to Regulation 6. (Standard of Education and Inspection of Schools). This latter result would no doubt have been much more favorable had the school not had disadvantages, arising from sickness on the part of the children, to work under. “ I would also bring under the notice of the Committee other special disadvantages, the incomplete and unpunctual manner in which the examination was conducted These told, I am certain, in a most unfavorable manner upon the class lists. The following subjects although prepared and entered in the syUabus were never examined ;—Drawing, Theory of Music, Copy Writing (Standards YI, Y, IV),and Elementary Science. The examination was unpunctual in that the Inspector failed to appear the first day. U pon the second he arrived at a quarter to twelve, and on the third day at 11 o’clock,and disappeared during a great part of tbe last day. It needs little experience in the manageof children to know that when they are thus treated—waiting weary hours for the inspector—their keen desire to do their best is very soon destroyed. “ The singular expressions of approval or otherwise imported by Mr Hammond into his report are incapable of explanation by me. He seems desirous of con veyiug the result of his examination in two ways. First, by a brief statement of percentages and in the second place by expressions of his opinion upon the manner in which the various subjects have been taught. It is fortunate for the credit of the school, however, that these ejaculations, when viewed by the light of even his own class lists, are found incorrect and therefore of no value. This is evident by taking the three main subjects taught In reading the school passed 94 per cent; spelling 77 per cent ; writing 90 per cent; arithmetic 50 per cent. Yet with regard to reading Mr Hammond has thought proper to exclaim that it is ‘ very indifferent’ ; spelling, ‘ fair’; writing, * satisfactory’ ; arithmetic, ‘ class failure,’ “ It is thus seen that ‘ very indifferent’ is equivalent to 94 per cent. It is no doubt well to place the ideal of a perfect pass at the maximum allowed by the Standard Regulations, but in this case it in clear even that has not bean sufficient. “ The want of ‘ supervision of the lower classes hy'the head master’ is constantly dwelt upon in the report under notice In reply to this assertion 1 can only state that as a rule twice a day I visit, and frequently teach, each class, while the junior teachers once every week during the greater part of last year gave, under my direction, formal object lessons. 1 have every confidence in the work done by the assistant teachers. It is, I believe, honest work, and entirely free from cram. The percentages of passes of the children under their charge has not been large, but those who have had actual experience ;»n teaching know perfectly well that good work may be done, although it may not be of the kind that shines at a standard examination. ‘*ln regard to the marked deterioration in the 1 tone’ of the schoo", I must explain that if by ‘ tone’ Mr Hammond meant mannerly and considerate conduct, I observe no detdioration on the part of the children. No special breach of these qualities was brought under my notice. Nor do I think from the manner in which the examination was conducted much reliance is to be placed upon the accuracy of Mr Hammond’s judgment in this matter. The oral examination in chemistry (Standards Y and YI) was certainly destroyed by bis inconsiderate manner. “ In conclusion I beg to state that I wish a personal interview with the Committee, in order that I may clear up any matter not entered into in this reply. “ I am, etc., ‘■A. Mclntosh.’’ ! Mr Macintosh, who attended, had an interview with the after

which it wus resolved to refer his explanation to the Board of Education. A letter was read from Mr E H. Brewer complaining that his boy had been reduced to a lower class, und enclosing two of the boy’s copy books to show his capability for writing. The letter was referred to the head master to report upon.