THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE TEMUKA SCHOOL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1168, 22 April 1884, Page 3

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE TEMUKA SCHOOL.

At the special meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education on Friday last, Dr Foster moved the resolution of which he had given notice at the last meeting— ‘ That the usual three months’ notice be given to Messrs Wood and Ward of the termination of their engagements.’

A petition, signed by a number of the householders of Temuka, was read, praying the Board to consider favorably Mr Wood’s request for longer time, as he was a competent teacher and had given great satisfaction, and stating that he would endeavor to graduate in 1886, provided be were not required to go up for hi# first examination till November, 1885. A letter was also read from Mr Ward, the Master of the Wairnate School, asking the Board not to be precipitate in their action, but to allow him to go up for his first examination in November, 1885, which, under the circumstances, he considered a very reasonable request. Dr Foster spoke at length in favor of his motion, saying that everything he had heard had failed to alter his opinion on the subject. He quite agreed with the opinion as expressed at the public meeting at Temuka, that a man could teach very well who had not taken a degree, but he was sure that a man could not teach very well what he did not know. All the Board wanted was a guarantee that a man who had to teach the higher branches really knew what he bad to teach, and such a guarantee a University degree would give. The reason it had bean fixed that the teachers referred to should go up for examination in November next, was that special arrangements were made in the University Statutes in favor of teachers, but those arrangements were only to remain in force till the November examination of this year, so that if they failed to present themselves at that examination they would have no subsequent opportunity. They could not matriculate, they could not keep terms, and if they did not avail themselves of the concession offered by presenting themselves for their first examination in next November, they could never go up at all. The Board, instead of being harsh, wished to give them the only chance given by the University. It might be that the University had altered their law and extended the time. He did not know if this was the case, but if so, he would be glad to extend the time too. He regretted very much to learn that the people of Temuka had talked about having their school ‘ dis-barred, 1 so to speak, if his motion were curried, for there were surely numbers of children who would be given a higher education if the opportunity were offered, and it , would be a great pity if the people

determined that these children must be content with a primary education only. Mr Wakefield seconded the rnol’on, and said ho could not understand how anyone seeking to further education in the district could favor any other course. Mr Talbot said that as to the masters not being able to graduate at all if they did not go up for examination this year, he was informed that was not the case. An article in The Schoolmaster of March 15th discussed this subject. The writer of the article had telegraphed to Nelson for information, and received the reply that “Teachers’ regulation lapses with November examination. The teachers come under the provision for those earning livelihood. They need not attend lectures, but they will keep terms by passing, not a college examination, but a special examination in three subjects, conducted by examiners appointed by the Chancellor. As to Mr Wood, the Board might have taken the trouble to find out whether he was fit to carry on the schoo* befote they talked about dismissing him. He was informed that of three or four District High Schools in Otago, only one had a graduate tor master ; so that the condition laid down by the Board was not considered a necessary condition there. As to the course proposed being the best for Temuka, the people there knew that they had got a good master, and knew the difficulty of obtaining a good teacher when one was wanted. The strongest argument used by Dr Foster was that if these teachers did not go up next November they could not go up afterwards. But he had shown from the only source of information at hand —The Schoolmaster—that this was not the case, and Mr Wood having expressed his willingness to go up in 1885, he hoped the Board would not pass the resolution. After a short discussion, in which Mr Barker spoke highly of the teaching capabilities of Mr Wood, and the Chairman said the Board did not fix the time in which they should graduate, but only the commencement of their work—to secure that they should commence it— Mr Steward proposed xho following, in place of Dr Foster’s motion —‘That Messrs Wood and Ward be informed that they will be required to go up for preliminary examination in November, 1884, unless the time of operation of the teachers’ regulations of the University bo extended to a later date (provided that the same be not after November, 1885), and that failing their intimating to the Board their intention so to do (such intimation to be sent in in writing within one month from this date), then that they receive three months’ notice of the termination of their engagements.’ The motion proposed by Dr Foster was withdrawn, and Mr Wakefield seconded this resolution, which was carried, Mr Talbot voting against it. Mr Talbot withdrew his notice of motion —‘ That the resolution of the Board adopting the recommendation of the Committee re status of teachers in District High Schools be rescinded.’ The only other business transacted was the passing of the following resolution—- ‘ That on the occasion of Mr W. H. Hammond’s retirement from the office of Inspector to the Board, the Board desire to record their recognition of Mr Hammond’s services during the six years he has spent in the Board’s employment, firstly as Secretary and Inspector, and subsequently as Inspector.’