TROUBLE BREWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 77, 31 March 1924, Page 7

TROUBLE BREWING.

IRRITATED TEACHERS. MR. PARR'S KETTLE OF FISH. CAN THE N.Z.E.I. HELP 1 Feeling is running high at present between the Minister of Education, the Hon. C. J. Parr, his Departmental officers, and the teaching profession generally, the main trouble being over the irritating multiplicity of regulations. So serious was the position a few days ago that there was very nearly a rupture of "diplomatic relations" at a certain conference between the Minister and representatives of the other two parties. Among the ranks of the teachers there is tremendous discontent. There has even been talk of political action. Mr. Parr, no doubt, has realised the drift, and a "Star" representative was informed to-day that the Minister is personally investigating matters in an attempt to restore order out of chaos. There is no doubt that the "moderates" among the teachers deprecate the introduction of politics into education, but unless the present difficulties are overcome they fear that nothing will prevent such a development. Washing Dirty Linen. One thing that has stung the teachers is the fact that the Education Department has chosen to wash its dirty linen in public. It is pointed out that there must be defects in other Government services, but no other Department has shouted the supposed faults and failings of its servants from the housetops. One headmaster said the conduct of the Education Department would be paralleled by a headmaster adversely criticising a teacher in the presence of a class. No wise headmaster would do such a thing, and it waa certainly stupid of the Department to follow the present practice. Alleged Breach of Trust. The main trouble is over the irritating multiplicity of regulations, and the controversy at present rages round what are called the headmasters' regulations. These are said to have been drawn up and more or less rushed through in the absence of the Minister in Australia. There is a further bone of contention in the fact that the regulations were never submitted to the executive of the N.Z.E.I. for approval, it being claimed that such an omission.constituted practically a breach of faith. Plain English. Headmasters and teachers generally are somewhat at a loss to understand the Minister's attitude in regard to the regulation dealing with the "actual teaching" to be done by headmasters. Mr. Parr has pointed out to the teachers that they had placed a wrong interpretation upon the clause to which objection was taken. At the same time he has given instructions that the inspectors are to be circularised and told how to apply the regulation. The teachers argue that if the regulation requires interpretation, it also requires redrafting. The Minister's Offer. Per medium of the Press the Minister has challenged the teachers to draw up a better regulation, and although Mr. Parr has not approached the N.Z.E.I. directly, it is more than likely the executive of that body will deal with the question within a few days. The N.Z.E.I. as a body is aiming at restoring an amicable feeling between all parties, and it is probable that the outcome of its consideration of the matter will be a step in this direction. ; There are several other regulations i which are disturbing the peace of mind of teachers. These include the recent sick leave group and the somewhat complicated amendments to the salary scale. One-sided Regulations. In various matters the teachers hold that there has been a disinclination on the part of the Department to confer with their representatives before making important changes. The result has been that one-siled regulations have been adopted. The teachers, of course admit that the Department's experts know their own aspect of each case, but it is pointed out that the teachers, who are experts just as much as the Departmental officers, have the knowledge which enables them to say whether certain rules are practicable or not. Minister Very A___ous. Those who have been in touch with the Minister during the past few weeks believe that Mr. Parr is very anxious to overcome the present difficulties, but up till the present matters have been going from bad to worse. One or two teachers of standing have recently had private conference with him, none of the Departmental officers being present and some very plain talk has taken place. The position is very delicate at I present, and if negotiations are unsuccessful serious trouble iB forecasted amongst the teachers generally. In the words of one teacher, it is a pretty kettle of fish for Mr. Parr.