REPRESENTATION ON BOARDS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28938, 4 July 1959, Page 15

REPRESENTATION ON BOARDS

Boys’ High School Staff Motion

The Christchurch Boys’ High School branch of the Postprimary Teachers’ Association has decided that it approves of the principle that there should be a staff representative, nominated by them but not of them, on the governing bodies of all postprimary schools. The Christchurch Boys’, High School board of governors received a copy of that motion with the request from the branch that it should be sent to the New Zealand Secondary School Boards’ Association. “In view of the fact that the Government is setting up a commission, the staff of the school feels that the time is opportune to express its views on the matter of teacher representation on the governing bodies of post-primary schools,” said the branch’s letter. The letter said two famous English public schools, Eton and Harrow, approved of the principle.

“It is true that the professorial staffs of our universities have some of their members elected to their councils,’* said the letter. “It is thought that this is not what is required for post-primary schools. The staff feels that such representation is not desirable—rather that there should be a nominee who is not a member of the staff, nor indeed even closely associated with it.’’

A copy of the branch’s motion had been sent to the Post-primary Teachers’ Association for presentation to the Commission on Education, the letter said.

The board carried a motion by Mr C. H. Perkins that the branch’s motion be sent on to the New Zealand Secondary School Boards' Association for consideration, but not as a remit from the board.

“1 don’t favour it,” said Mr Perking. “It doesn’t involve the question of a staff member on the board, but the electorate from which boards are drawn is already wide, and I don’t think anything would be gained. “I think we on this board already have a wide range of interests represented, but there may be other boards which do not For that reason I think it is worthwhile having the proposal discussed.” Mrs L. J. Broomfield added that representation was very much the same on all boards.