Head quits, slates dept.

Press, 19 November 1977, Page 6

Head quits, slates dept.

I PA Wellington I The principal of Taita College (Mr J. Anderson) has resigned — largely, se says, [because of frustrations in 'dealing with the Department jot Education. ! Emphasising that his resignation was not a result ol I dissatisfaction with pupils of jthe college or its management, he said that in his two years at the college he had grown increasingly trustrated oy the department’s policies. “Credit squeezes imposed by politicians were intolerable when 1 consider that many things associated with buildings and grounds needed attention,” he said. The college had been without a staff room for six months. One had been obtained only after staff had [threatened to withdraw their services. i “Demountable classrooms (were brought on to the site I but were put in the wrong [place and, for over five

months, were merely sitting on the concrete piles, not tied [down, and this is an area subject to earthquakes,” said Mr Anderson. I No-one within the departIment Seemed to have responsibility for checking that work. He was horrified at the need to continue to employ inefficient staff. Procedures for removing a person in that category were slow, timeconsuming, and hinged on proving “gross inefficiency. ’ I “Teachers once given proI visional appointments may be over-protected,” said Mr ! Anderson. “The principal has [all the power to engage a ; teacher but appears to be i powerless in the reverse situation.” I Mr Anderson said that the 'list of frustrations could be extended by other examples, [particularly those involving (delays by the department’s [Building Division in replying [to correspondence and (answering specific questions.