HOLIDAY FOR SCHOOLS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27074, 24 June 1953, Page 8

HOLIDAY FOR SCHOOLS

Special Meetings Of Teachers PROMOTION PLAN DISCUSSIONS Primary schools throughout th# greater part of Canterbury will bn closed for a full day in the country and half a day in Christchurch and Ashburton while teachers hear cases for and against the amended plan S their appointment and promotion which will be the subject of a na tional postal referendum closing n „ July 27. The North Canterbury and Ashley branches of the New Zealand Educa* tional Institute, embracing teachers between the Clarence and Rakaia rivers will meet in Christchurch on PYidav afternoon, and Christchurch school, will close for the afternoon and coun. try schools for. the whole day where it is necessary for teachers to travel long distances. The Mid-Canterbury branch of the institute, extending from the Sakai# to the Rangitata rivers, will meet a t Ashburton on Thursday afternoon, and similar closing arrangements will an. ply to Ashburton schools and thoXe in the surrounding country.

The South Canterbury branch does not propose to hold meetings which will involve the closing of schools. This will probably be the first time Canterbury schools have been closed for such a purpose. As far as could be ascertained last evening, Canterbury is the only province where schools are being closed for these discussions. Meetings reported elsewhere are being held in the evenings. It understood that in Otago and Southland, schools are sometimes closed for the annual meetings of the Educational Institute to facilitate the attendance of country teachers. Education Board's Attitude

The Canterbury Education Board considered that the issue was so important tb the future of the teaching profession that it was justified in authorising schools to be closed to enable all teachers to attend the meetings convened by the New Zealand Educational Institute, said the secretary of the board (Mr L. S. p. Butcher) yesterday afternoon.

Nearly 800 teachers may attend the meeting in the hall of the Teachen’ College in Christchurch at 1.30 p.m. on Friday. The North Canterbury branch of the institute has 703 members and the Ashley branch 100. Mr G. H. Mitchell, of Wellington, a member of the Consultative Committee on the Appointment and Promotion of Teacners, will state the case for the latest proposals, based on a more liberal classification of teachers. Mr J. G. Johnston, of Christchurch, secretary of the North Canterbury branch of the institute, will state the case against the change from numerical grading. Mr A. M. Grigor, president of the North Canterbury branch, said last evening that each speaker would probably be allowed an hour for his address, and time to reply. It was not proposed to allow any discussion, but written questions would be answered.

Mid-Canterbury teachers will meet at 1.30 p.m. on Thursday at Ashburton. Mr Mitchell will state the case for the proposals, and objections will be stated by Mr W. H. Hampton, of Wellington. South Canterbury Meetings The South Canterbury branch of the institute does not at present propose to hold meetings which will involve the closing of schools. Two have already been held outside school hours and others are planned in district centres. At Timaru, Mr W. A. Pierre, headmaster of the Geraldine District High School, gave the case in favour of tne new scheme and Mr S. Slocombe, president of the South Canterbury branch, spoke against it. If the new proposals are rejected in the referendum, South Canterbmy teachers have yet another scheme which they will present to the institute.