WAR CONDITIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 299, 15 December 1917, Page 11

WAR CONDITIONS.

EDTTCATIONAI. REGtIXATIOTfS. SPECIAL GBANTS TO SCHOOL COMMITTEES. WELLINGTON, ___ day. To meet conditions caused by the war, the Minister of Education has bad drafted a number of regulations dealing with staffing of schools and the allocation of the special rote for school committees granted last session by- Parliament. One important point in connection with the employment of temporary teachers is the discretion given to Education Boards to pay a rate of salary less than the scale amount Where the qualifications of the temporary teacher warrant. This has saved many thousands of pounds, but some Boards have made all appointments at full-scale salary. To differentiation between districts, a new regulation is gazetted to bring temporary appointments under the Minister's review, so that if a larger salary than is warranted has-been paid, it can be stopped.

Another clause enables Boards to appoint permanently to vacant positions students who have completed training, but who take up military duties. They will thus secure the 'benefit of the time of military service in computing future superannuation allowance, and also enjoy seniority without diminution due to military service. Increments of s<ilary are to accrue from the date of appointment, so that upon discharge from military service the fighting student will find that he starts at a rate possibly £30 above the minimum.

Even by the use of partially qualified teachers it has been found impossible to carry on some schools tvithout throwing additional work on the remaining staff. A new regulation empowers the Boards to recognise in extra pay this additional work during the war, and to place probationers in charge of classes if it is found necessary.

The additional prant to school committees is to be paid annually in a lump sirm. The basis of distribution is upon the average attendance, subject to the ritrht of Boards to s_ge_st a modification in specific cases. The extra grant is only for the term of the war, and the first payment is to be made before March 31st next, based on a scale commencing with a £2 10/ grant to Grade O schools, with ten shillings increase for each step in grades up to and including Grade 4B (grant £5). then rising by £1 per grade to £20 at Grade 7H.