THE COUNTRY SCHOOLTEACHER'S WORRIES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14993, 13 June 1914, Page 13

THE COUNTRY SCHOOLTEACHER'S WORRIES.

TO THE EDITOR OF *'__ PRESS." Sir, —Aiauy country teaener_ will be pleased at the action of tho Taranaki Education Board in refusing tho. request of a country School Committee that their teacher should be dismissed on tho grounds of severity of corporal punishmenU Country people" assume tho idea that a School Committee has tho power of jifo and death over a teacher, and hence try to make things as miserable as possible, much to the detriment of .the school and district. The committee's powers aro very limited. They havo to see that the schoolr room is kept clean and warm, and supplied with chalk, ink, paper,,and other requisites; that all fences, drain*",; outhouses, and windows are in good order; and grant holidays, which must not be loss than 45 days, and not more than 55 days a year. Tho committee has no control over what-subjects are to bo taught, and how, or over tho arrangement and promotion of classes, timetables, or discipline; These aro matters for the inspectors to report on. As long as children are being instructed according to tbo Act, and the inspector is satisfied with tho progress made, there are no grounds for complaint. After echool hours a. teacher's time is hia own. Many will not admit this, and hence he is criticised should he accept an invitation to spend the week-end shooting barej.-. It is a wonder his conscience allows him tc go to church again -should some busy-body see him go to town regularly, or visit where there are daughters, it is bound to bo for some purpose. Should children be collecting funds for the school picnic, ono will hear some such remark as that tho "master should do his own dirty work." It is a pity that 6ome women do not spend their time in looking after their homes, and doing their duty to the State by rearing a family of three or four instead of running around the country spreading scandal about tho doctor, parson, or teacher, and scaring the district about some harmless "bad men" selling books. —Yours, etc., UP-COTXNTRY.