EDUCATION BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 145, 21 June 1934, Page 20

EDUCATION BOARD.

ANNUAL REPORT TABLED.

APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS,

The number of schools m the Auckland district open at the end o£ 1933 was 7-13, stated the annual report presented at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board yesterday. Mr. T. U. Wells presided. The total number of scholars was 04,134, of which 33,041 were boys and 30,493 girls. The average attendance was 07,484. The report desired to urge that, as soon as funds were available, consideration be given to the provision of proper school buildings to replace privately-owned buildings, such as halls, which, it was recognised, were unsuitable in many ways for school purposes. Remodelling of schools, particularly in cases where two teachers were required to teach in the one room, was also a work that should be undertaken as early as possible. The difficulty of providing accommodation for teachers in rural districts continued to give the board concern. Although it was recognised that the provision of accommodation for school children must be treated as of greater urgency, the board hoped that the Department would be able to authorise grants for the erection of residences in the most urgent cases. Teachers' Superannuation. A letter was received from the Education Department drawing attention to a misunderstanding that had arisen in connection with the Teachers' Superannuation Fund. The Department stated that, iu some instances, contributors to the superannuation fund had allowed their membership to lapse through the mistaken belief that leave of absence had been granted by the last employing board. For superannuation purposes, explained the letter, a teacher could not be on leave unless, during the period of leave, he continued to hold a definite position in the education service. Thus a teacher whose engagement (say as a relieving teacher) had been terminated, could not be on leave even though his name was retained on the list of teachers available for relieving work. Immediately an engagement was terminated, a teacher was "unemployed" for purposes of the Superannuation Act, and that, if the period of unemployment extended for 12 months, membership would lapse unless the Superannuation Board granted extension of the "period of unemployment." A request was received from the Belmont school committee for an additional classroom to be built at the school. The committeo offered to pay half the cost of the work if the board would provide the balance. It was pointed out that Belmont had a floor space of 0000 square feet, and an average roll of 474, which allowed ample room for each pupil. There were many country schools in much more urgent need of assistance. It was_ decided to thank the committee for their offer, but to explain that nothing could at present be done.

Appointments made. The following appointments of teachers were authorised by the board: Head teacher: Mr. H. McCowan, Avoiidale South. Sole teachers: Mr. G. H. Prince, Hikuai; Mr. C. R. Tilly, Matai Camp. Assistant master: Mr. C. H. Hinton, Belmont. Assistant mistresses: Miss Jv G. Couper, 8.A., Otahuhu Technical High, Intermediate Department; Miss C. M* Shaw, Kotownro; Miss S. N. Davis, Otaika; Miss K. P. Caldwell, Taneatua; Miss E. V. Double, Maropiu. Anzac Day Ceremony. What is probably the end of the discussion of the attitude taken by teachers of the Matainata District High School towards the Anzac Day ceremony was heard when a letter from the principal was read to the Auckland Education Board to-dav. It was explained that an impressive and fitting ceremony had been held at the school the day before Anzac Day, as the lack of transport made it too difficult to bring the pupils in on a holiday. Senior pupils of the school had been appointed to represent the other pupils, and had laid wreaths during the Anzac Dav ceremonies. Mr. Wells said that the explanation completely cleared the staff of tlie school from any suggestion that Anzac Day was not properly treated in the school. \S hat the teachers did personally as regards attending the ceremony was purely an individual matter.