MILITARY DRILL FOR TEACHERS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10760, 13 September 1900, Page 2

MILITARY DRILL FOR TEACHERS.

THE EDUCATION BOARD'S ARRANGE_vIENTS.

At the meeting of the Board of Education , yesterday, the special report of the Appointments' Committee on the subject of malit-ary d_-Sl for teachers was read. It stated that owing to the delay in completing arrangements for free railway -n-isses for teachers, tho classes would commence on Saturday, the 15th inst., at Ashburton and Ohristchureh. Classes would not be held at Rangiora at present, owing to the small number of teachers who wished to attend The Committee did not feel called upon to discuss the question as to the Board's right to require teachers to attend the classes further than to point out that the Board was fully justified in requiring its teachers to qualify themselves to give instruction on the subject. The exemptions granted would remove any hardship which might otherwise have been entailed. Exemptions had been granted *o teachers already qnalified, thosa whom distance precluded from attendant, those whose age was a sufficient reason for non-attendance, and those attending Canterbury College or the School of Art during the hour fixed for the classes. The latter would be expected to qualify on the expiry of the College and School ©f Art terms. The free railway passes would meet the difficuity of expense to the teachers. The Committee trusted the teachers would appreciate the) Board*} effort's to improve the drill of the boys in the North Canterbury primary schools. The steps taken were in the inte*pests of the teachers. In no other way could the end in view be attained without seriously trenching the funds out of which the Board maintained its teaching staff. The report was adopted. Mr Dalaell pointed out that as matters now stood the boys in country schools who were under the charge of female teachers would lose tlie benefit of the m3it*iry drill. The Cliairraan said he would like" to see '' the lady teachers qualify themselves to teach drill, It would do them no harm, and was calculated to improve their health and carriage. Mr Drdzell moved—"That the matter of asking the female teachers to qualify themselves for military instruction be referred to the Appointments' Commit tee." I Mr Peryman -.conded .:;■. motion' ~] • ' Liraa oaakA.