Decisions on teacher trainees criticised

Press, 12 May 1984, Page 9

Decisions on teacher trainees criticised

Lack of consultation on teacher trainee policies has angered a Canterbury Education Board member. Mrs N. J. Johnson told yesterday’s board meeting that she was unhappy with the way the policies on teacher ’ trainees had been discussed by a committee set up by the Minister of Education, Mr Wellington. Mr Wellington had selectively adopted recommendations by the committee, she said. Her main concern was that no recruitment officer or information officer would be appointed to help implement the policies decided on by Mr Wellington. Mrs Johnson asked that the board express its concern to the Education Boards’ Association. The board chairman, Mr D. L. Waghorn, agreed that the lack of an appointed recruitment officer or someone fulfilling that role was serious. The board will recommend that a recruitment officer be appointed for each teachers’ college area. Mr Wellington’s proposals for the appointment of teachers to basic-scale primary positions also drew fire from a board member. Mr G. S. Maister called for some form of assessment of teachers to judge their ability to impart knowledge and to control children in the classroom. This would not necessarily mean a return to the old grading system but some means of assessing teachers’ ability had to be devised before they were assigned permanently to classrooms.

Length of service was no longer the most important factor in determining positions, Mr Maister said. “An assessment system would mean the grandmothers of education would not automatically take positions they applied for.” An assessment of training teachers would make the job of appointments committees easier and their decisions fairer. “The appointments committee has no magic wand to select the best teacher. Some assessment would give a better idea of a teacher’s ability,” he said. Environment Christchurch schools will have the opportunity to compete in a ground and environment competition. The board has approved book prizes for the winning schools. The Canterbury Horticultural Society has given its support to the contest and will give certificates to the winners. Fitness A survey will assess the fitness of school pupils. The Education Boards’ Association has notified the Canterbury board of a research

project to determine the level of physical fitness of New Zealand school pupils. Allocation An interim allocation of $145,000 for art and craft, and repairs and replacements, has been made to the board by the Education Department The allocation is based on 25 per cent of last year’s allocation and is an interim measure until the department is certain of its budget from the Government The art and craft allocation is $68,000 and repairs, $77,000. Elections Mr R. G. Blakemore has been elected to the board to represent South Ward No 1. He replaces Mr W. N. Pickmere, who died last year. Mr Blakemore, with other board members, will face another election in a few weeks time when the biennial elections for the board are held. Nominations will close on June 13. There will be at least one vacancy to fill. Mr M. C. Butler, a long-serving member of the board, died last week.