The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1883. THE TEMUKA HIGH SCHOOL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1177, 22 November 1883, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1883. THE TEMUKA HIGH SCHOOL.

-At a recent meeting ot the South Can. terbury Board of Education a resolution was passed to the effect that no Head Master would be allowed to remain in charge of a High School except such as had graduated at some University, Every one must appreciate the motives that inspired this resolution. The object evidently was to make District High Schools as important as possible, and to give them a high standing as educational seminaries. Of coarse, a teacher with B.A. or M.A. to his name would add considerable eclat to the school. The outside world could not fail to regard him with more awe and reverence than it would the ordinary teacher ; his name would look far better on paper ; i t would be more in keeping with the high sounding name of High School to have such a man, and if he possessed the other necessary qualifications be might produce better resalts. The fact is, that effect seems to be as much the object in view as efficiency, but we trust the Board will not strain too much after so unprofitable, though perhaps desirable, a result. We have nothing to say against the Board’s resolution farther than that it does not suit the only school of the kind in this district, and we consequently hope it will remain a dead letter so far as that is concerned. We 'are inclined to think that this resolution has been prompted by the great desire of the Chairman of the Edncation Board to make District High Schools first-class educational seminaries. The scheme is one of his own “ pets,” and he means to leave nothing undone to forward what he believes will enable a more liberal education to be given to the rising generation. There is no one connected with education in South Canterbury who has done more or worked harder for it than the Rev George Barclay, and we are consequently convinced that he would be the last pian to destroy efficiency for the sake of effiect’ To disturb the present teacher of the Temuka District High School would in all probability result in doing it a great deal of harm. We are certain that no good would be done by it, because it could hardly be possible to get a teacher that would produce better results, or give more satisfaction to the parents of the children and the Com■mitte than Mr Wood. To disturb him under these circumstances would be to incur the risk of injuring the school, and this is what the Board ought to be very cautious about. Mr Wood is thoroughly competent to teach the school. Tie Rev Mr Barclay knows

that well, and he knows too that he is not only an educated man, but that he is also a thorough teacher who takes the deepest interest in his work. Why it should be sought to replace him by another is one of those things that every one can’t understand. He possesses every qualification necessary so far as we can learn except one, and that is he is not a graduate of a University. We humbly submit that this is not sufficient reason for making the change, and we should recommend the Education Board so far as the Temuka School is concerned, “to let well alone,” Graduates of Universities are not always the best teachers. There are useless men amongst them as well as they are amongst other classes, and if one of these should be put in the place of Mr Wood, who has most ably filled the appointment, the residents of lemuka would not bless the day on which their school got its high sounding name.