THE EDUCATION BILL,

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13191, 11 August 1908, Page 6

THE EDUCATION BILL,

It is evident that if tho Education Bill introduced this session passes into law in its present shape, it will do much to allay tho discontent that has been rifo among tho school teachers . for years past. Branches of the Educational Institute, meeting to discuss the Bill, show a general tendency to congratulate tho Minister for Education on tho measure, even whilo most of them suggest amendments which they think would improvo it. There is practical agreement that it will considerably improvo tho position of teachers, because tho reduction in tho number of grades will render teachers less liable to fluctuations in salary and the provision of a system by which a teacher's salary increases by iJo a year so long as he remains in ono position, until ho reaches the maximum' salary in that grade, is a decided improvement, from tho teacher's point of view, on tho present system of payment. Tho strengthening of tho staffs by the substitution of trained assistant teachers in lifcu of pupil teachers, should make for increased efficiency. Objections are still being mado to the payment of salaries being based on the average attendance, but though, as we havo urged on several occasions, it is unjust that a teacher should suffer in pocket bocausG an ■epidemic of measles reduces tho school attendance, the teachers will, as a matter of expediency, probably be wise if the-y accept the undoubted benefits conferred by the present Bill and refrain from insisting on too many amendments in it. In time they may secure an Act which will provide that no teacher in any given position shall suffer reduction of salary tor any causo except loss of ofiicioncy. ->ut that reform will not Ik* gained.yet, and tho new scheme is a distinct step in advance of

tho existing order of things. Tho point on which tho keenest discussion may take place in tho House L> the whittling <lown of tho powers of school committees as regards the appointment of teachers. By tho existing Act, if there is a vacancy in tho staff of any school, tho local Education Board must send to the comaiittoo of the school two lists, one containing the names of all applicants f-r ths position, and tho otb.3r not more than six names, in order, of teachers whom the. Board considers most suited to fill the vacancy, mentioning each applicant's qualifications. If this second list contains four or

moro names tho committee, must select two, and the Board must appoint ono of tho candidates so selected, while if tho Board submits tho names of less than four, the comniittco chooses one, and that ono is appointed. The new Bill simply requires the Board to forward the two lists and leaves it to the committee to send in any opinion or recommendation it may desire, but no obligation rests upon tho Board to do moro than take- tho recommendation or opinion "into consideration." If Boards of Education wero invariably guided by their inspectors in tho matter of appointments wo should say that this new provision was an admirable one, for we havo always held mat the inspectors, by virtue of their intimate knowledge of the capabilities of the teachers in their district, are beet able tx> select the man or woman most suitable for

any vacancy. But thoro is some reasoi to believe that tho opinions of inspectors occasionally count for little against favouritism. Wire-pulling is not confined to Wellington, and political and other influences now and then make their way into educational as into other appointments. We are not convinced as to the wisdom of lessening still further such power of appointment as is left to school committees, and we are qnito crrtai?i that tho proposal will meet with a good deal of hostility in Parliament. This appears to be £he only blot on a Bill which in its general purpose should make the teaching service more popular with young men.