EDUCATION MATTERS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13094, 20 April 1908, Page 9

EDUCATION MATTERS.

DEPUTATION TO THE PRIME

MINISTER

(PBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

April 17. A deputation from the Teachers' Institute laid several grievances beforo Sir Joseph Ward. Mx W. H. ClaTk spoke cf the discontent in the service on account of th© salaries being based on average attendance, a,nd gave specific instances of loss to teachers through no fault of their own. -Mx W. G. Mehaffoy spoke of the superannuation scheme, and said tea'chens reoeived one-half, in the matter 0\...-back-. pay,- of - that provided for in any other superannuation schemes. The teachers wanted to be brought into line with other schemes, or, as. an alternative, would like the privilege- of being- brought under the Civil Servants' scheme. Mr Inglis brought forward the general -diseatisfaction with the present' promotion system,' __d urged on the Minister the necessity for making Education Boards supreme in the matter of appointing teachers. Sir Joseph Ward said the chairman of the Otago Education Board (Mr T. .Mackenzie, M:P.) had) taken a remark of his mado a few days ago in Dunedin to me_n tihat the Government were anxious to: make a complete change in the whole education system, and he did not wish that implication taken from anything he might sa> that day. The questions of appointment and promotion of teachers and the superannuation scheme devised for their benefit, had presented no littlo difficulty to those who had had the responsibility on their shoulders. Tbe difficulties had been increased by tho fact that sectional- employment was in vogue here. . He did not say this should be altered. The problem wins to see how the teachers emplcye-3 by the different Boards could bo treated just as if there were no eectnon-al districts. If it were possible the _whole, of the teachers (as was tbe case with the railways) would come under one organised system, when tho difficulties would •largely disappear. The Government were anxious to help the teachere, but had to keep before them the troubles •which the system created. So far as superannuation was concerned, next •session an attempt would be made to improve the position of the teachers, and the Government hoped to be able to submit a 'system that would give satisfaction to tbo teachers generally. With regard to average attendance and •teachers salaries, tbe matteir was very important. An .attempted improvement had been carried out, but evidently it was not sufficient to meet cases such as those that had been referred to. This matter would require to bo further considered with a view to preventing fluctuations.