Institute celebrates its centenary

Press, 10 May 1982, Page 33

Institute celebrates its centenary

The Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute celebrates its centenary this year, and so it js appropriate that the national body chose Christchurch as the venue for its 1982 annual meeting. A group of Ashburton schoolteachers organised a meeting in May, 1882, at which the Educational Institute of North Canterbury was formed. Its formation actually preceded that of the national body. The New Zealand Educational Institute was established at a meeting in Christchurch in January, 1883. The North Canterbury group became a branch of the N.Z.E.I. that year. Dlustrious names amongst the branch’s early membership were Mr George Hogben, vice-president in 1883, who was later to become the Inspector-General of Education, and Mr W. Pember Reeves, M.P., who held the portfolio of Education while he was branch president in 1891. In its early years, the branch campaigned on a

wide range of educational issues. Education boards framed their own salary scales for teachers and, sometimes, salaries were cut if boards had been too free in their spending in other areas. Unsurprisingly then, as now, salaries were a central issue. Others concerned the examination-oriented school system, which meant topics such as syllabus, examination questions and promotion systems were much discussed. Since its formation, the North Canterbury branch has played an active role in lobbying for improvements to the education system both locally and nationally. Apart from'three hiccoughs in its activity caused by the Depression and two world wars, the branch has maintained that tradition. Last year, it changed its name to become the Christchurch branch. It is the largest in the country, having 1.384 members in September, 1981.