EDUCATION INSTITUTE

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 212, 7 September 1922, Page 5

EDUCATION INSTITUTE

GOOD YEAR FOR THE BRANCH. ri FUNDS IN HEALTHY STATE. . Out of 1255 teachers eligible to join the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Education Institute there are 955 on the roll, stated the annual report of the branch presented at the annual meeting held this morning in the Training College, Mr. T. U. Wells, president, in the chair. The report, which was read by the secretary (Mr. M H. Moon), recounted a good year, during which a lot of useful work was done by the committee in looking after teachers' interests and generally keeping an eye on educational matters. It was suggested that the 300 members that were eligible for membership and had not joined should become members in the interests of the profession. Satisfaction was expressed at the state of the finances, the only item to be regretted being the £154 subscription fees in arrear A brief reference was made to the grading of teachers, the committee being of opinion that the Dominion system was not a success and suggesting that the only way to ensure equitable appraisement was to divide the Dominion into four districts. Regarding the sale of school stationery by the Education Board, the report pointed out that the success of the innovation would depend largely on the support of the teachers, and urged members to give that support. If that support were forthcoming the scheme would be a success, and there was reason to believe that the saving to parents would be very considerable. Much regret was expressed at the resignation of the treasurer, Mr. G. Lippiatt, who had rendered the branch such splendid service for many years. Mr. Lippiatt, in presenting the balance sheet, said he still hoped to be able to be of use to the branch, even if his health (which had improved very much) did not permit him to take such active work as that of secretary. The expenditure for the year was £1304. Members sub-s-riptions provided £1079 of the revenue. The year besan with a credit balance of £190 and ended with a credit balance of £199. Assets exceeded liabilities by £552, and sub-branches were also in credit to the extent of £70. It was satisfactory to know that the club room was now free from debt, and the annual upl-eep should not exceed £60. The question of the Education Board supplying children with paper with which to carry out tests at the end of the terms was discussed. Mr. Murdoch pointed out that headmasters found that children had to find their own paper, and as it was bad their written work suffered in consequence. He therefore thought that certain stationery should be supplied for this purpose." He quoted from a circular sent by the Board stating that membera of school committees would be personally responsible for the extra expenditure 'if the material was supplied, and this was unfair. The Institute decided to strongly urge the Board to supply stationery at the discretion of the headmasters for the use of pupils during their school work and examinations.