“TOO AUTOCRATIC”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 129, 13 March 1931, Page 6

“TOO AUTOCRATIC”

APPOINTMENT OF TEACHER. POSITION AT TECHNICAL SCHOOL EDUCATION DIRECTOR’S DEAIAND By shelving its own inclinations :and complying with an urgent request from the Department of Education that amounted almost to a command to appoint a Napier teacher to its staff, the Ashburton Technical School Board of Alnnagers hasMieeni placed in an awkward position, one that is likely to cause some ill-feeling.

A vacancy having occurred on the staff of the school, the position was advertised, a large number of applications being received in answer, among them being 12 AT.A.’s and eight B.A.’s. The Board practically decided upon ope applicant, whose qualifications are such that the school seldom has the good fortune to find available.

The Director of Education (Air T. B. (Strong) telegraphed at that stage, suggesting that a Napier teacher who had been thrown out of employment by the earthquake should be appointed to fill the vacancy. In reply, the Board telegraphed asking for the papier teacher’s qualifications. 'Jo this the Director of Education replied that ho was satisfied that the Napier teacher was fully qualified to take the position offered, and he followed it with a long letter, written in an aggrieved tone, expressing surprise that the Board should have hesitated .to approve of his suggestion. 1 Thereupon the Board appointed the Napier teacher, though it felt reluctant to have to forego the services of the applicant upon whom it had settled its. choice.

The Napier teacher came to Aslibprton> /She has been on the staff for some days now, but as yet lias not commenced duty. The matter has not rested there, however, for it is likely that this teacher will return to Napier at an early date.. The position in which the Board finds itself was placed before members at its meeting yesterday afternoon. • '*

The chairman (Air T. Hayes) outlined what had led up to the appointment of /the Napier teacher, and the Principal (Air R. J. Thompson) stated that he had been informed by the teacher that the Department had asked her if she would be willing to return to Napier, and, naturally, she had said that she would be willing to go back. It seemed that the transfer would bo made in about one month. In the meantime the Board had lo.st the opportunity of placing a highlygraded teacher" on the staff, an opportunity that did not often occur. If the Napier teacher returned to her old position, the vacancy here would havfe to be filled, and it was quite likely that the teacher on whom the. Board’s choice had fallen would by that time have obtained a position elsewhere. Members spoke resentfully of the action of the Director of Education in practically demanding the appointment of file Napier teacher and then to make overtures to her regarding her return to Napier. It was pointed out ; that the Department, and/or the Director, had taken up the wrong attitude with regard to the placing of Napier teachers. There were: many teachers-who for two years had been "seeking positions, and if vacancies were to he filled at the demand of the Department, as in the Ashburton case, these teachers would lip re to go on applying. One member declared that the Director had proved himself to lie altogether too, autocratic in the. mattet, and if the proposed change came about tile Board should not mince its words in a protest. After some discussion it was decided to ask the Department if the teacher concerned was prepared to stay at the school for a reasonable time, so that the work of the children for this year would not he upset. It was agreed, further, that the Department’s reply be left in the hands of the executive, with power to act. in the appointment of a teacher, should the present one be transferred from the school.