65

E.—l2.

E. K. MULGAN.

243. The Chairman.] Supposing that a reform were instituted which gave the controlling body in education the general control of all phases of education —primary, secondary, and technical — would it not be some advantage to the teaching profession if all positions were open to primaryschool teachers if they were qualified, or qualified themselves by study?—Of course it would. 244.- Similarly, would it be any advantage from the Inspector's point of view? —1 think those "positions are open to all teachers now. They certainly should be open. 245. And all positions in the inspectorate of the Dominion be open to all public-school teachers? —I think so. 246. Would it be any advantage if the position of Inspector were made to apply to the whole Dominion, not merely to the divisions of it? —Yes, that would tend to the benefit of education, provided, of course, that the salaries attached to the position were not lowered. I understand that in certain districts the salaries attached to inspectorships are much lower than in other districts. There should be a levelling up according to position and responsibility and length of service. Robert Campbell examined on oath. (No. 3.) 1. The Chairman.] What are your educational qualifications and position?—l hold a CI certificate, and am first assistant in the Mount Albert School. 1 come forward as the mouthpiece of the Auckland District Educational Institute, of which I am president. 2. Will you tell us what the conclusions of the Institute are with regard to the questions raised in our order of reference? —I submit the recommendations of the Institute, and on all points where necessary I will distinguish between my individual opinions and those of the Institute. The resolutions of the Institute are : " Recommendations of the Auckland District Institute. The Institute recommends —(1.) That where there is a group of small country schools connected by passable roads, several of those schools should be closed, and the scholars conveyed daily to one central school. (2a.) That the Inspectors of the Dominion should be under the Central Department with respect to the interpretation of the regulations and of the syllabus; and that a Dominion scale of salaries, which should be such as to attract the best teachers in the profession, should be adopted for Inspectors. (2b.) A more speedy compliance with the Board's recommendations regarding the erection of new schools or the enlargement of old ones, especially in districts where the increase is rapid and likely to be permanent. (2c.) That the Regulations for the Examination of Teachers, issued by Order in Council on the 16th February, 1912, should be modified so as not to press so heavily on those candidates who wish to be examined in scientific subjects. According to those regulations, each candidate in Class C must produce a certificate showing that he has gone through a sufficient course of practical work occupying at least eighty hours in each subject. The Institute considers that many country teachers will, in the face of that regulation, find it impossible to obtain a C certificate. (3.) That all appointments of teachers be made by Education Boards on the advice of their Inspectors, who shall have previously classified all teachers on a graded list, similar to that at present in use in the Auckland District. (4.) The abandonment of the present system of payment by capitation for manual instruction. (5.) That the cost of education should be provided for by general taxation, and that no portion should be raised by local rates. (6.) That the instruction in agriculture should not be of a technical nature, but should be considered simply as one valuable means of developing the mind of the child by trained observation of the processes of nature. (7a.) That the course of instruction in arithmetic should be curtailed, more evenly distributed among the standards, and be of a more practical nature. (7b.) That the study of mathematical geography demands more abstract reasoning than can be expected from young children, and might very well be omitted from the syllabus. (8.) That all Junior National and Education Board Junior Scholarships should be abolished, and the money so saved should be spent in paying the lodging-expenses of those children who are highest on the list of the Junior Free Place Examination, and who require to live away from home in order to attend a secondary school." 3. Mr. Would you mind stating how you would have the regulations for the employment of teachers altered ?—One point that is mentioned here is that in the new regulations it appears that those country teachers who are at a considerable distance must produce a certificate showing that they have devoted the eighty hours to the study of practical work in a particular science. I do not see how that difficulty can be readily overcome. I grant that the. teacher who undertakes to teach a science must not work up his science from books only, that he ought to have a first-hand knowledge of the practical work if possible. The effect of these regulations appears to be that a considerable number of these teachers in the country districts will be debarred from obtaining the C certificate, which, of course, they are very anxious to obtain. 4. What do you think of the suggestion that the examination should be taken in annual periods instead of being taken at one time ?—I do not agree that it would be fair to the countryteacher who has to devote one year's hard work to his profession to take from his annual holiday four weeks, and of those four weeks to have five days per week devoted to the study of practical work in one science. 5. You think it is just as desirable that a teacher in full practice should have his recess as that the student at the training college should do so? —It is quite as necessary to him, if not more so. 6. Do you think that the obtaining of a certificate might fairly be made easier by allowing the teacher to take his certificate in three sections?—l do, very decidedly. I see no objection to its being taken in a number of sections. 7. In regard to the old E certificate that was abolished, do you not think it would be of advantage for those teachers who have a difficulty in reaching the D standard at first to have an opportunity of getting such a certificate as the old E to prevent deduction of salary because they have not the certificate? Would you advocate a partial reinstatement of the old E certificate?—l am afraid that that question has not been considered by the Institute.