WANTED: JUSTICE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1509, 3 August 1912, Page 7

WANTED: JUSTICE.

RECENT SCHOOL APPOINTMENTS. ' DISSATISFIED TEACHERS. - Tho general question of improving tho present system of school appointments in tho Wellington Education District was raised at the annual meeting of tho Wellington District Branch of the Now .Zealand Educational Instituto last evening, when the secrotary of the institute (Mr. E. 11. Ballacty) reported that a deputation of iirst-assistant masters had waited upon. the Wellington Headmasters' Association to protest against certain recent Appointments by the board. The Headmasters' Association, after consideration, had .referred the nuestion to tho Teachers' Instituto for discussion.

Mr. C. Wa'ison (president of the branch) said that one recent appointment had been given to an applicant who had had a good deal less service than some- deserving candidates whose names had not even appeared,on tho list.' "This, of course," 6aid Mr. 'Watson, "leads up to tho general question of a classification and promotion scheme."

Mr. Georgo Flux. thereupon moved as 'follows:—

"Seeing that 'thero is among teachers a general feeling of dissatisfaction with regard to some recent appointments, this institute begs to urgo tho Hoard of Education to adopt somo scheme of classification of teachers, Huch OS that suggested to the Education Commission by the sub-committee of the instituto appointed for that . purpose." The motion was seconded by Mr. D. JI. Yeats. ■ Honoured In-tho Breach. . Mr. B. H. Low remarked that the board had laid it down that in the matter of sub appointments at Island Bay and Grey'town, preference would bo given to teachers who had put in service in the country, .but this rule had not been ■acoordiug to recent experience. The fact was that sonior city assistants .who took up-country work —which most of them had done in an earlier stage', of their careers—would loso salary. Ho complained that the Ureytown appointment had uot been advertised. According' to the board's rule, the headmastership of a district high school should bo given to a graduate, but tho Greytuwu District High School appointment was given to a "Dl" man. Mr. J. C. Bums considered that the motion was not strong enough. Subsequently to the appointments complained of, there had been a meeting of "disappointed applicants," and as one of the assistants who had interviewed tho Headmasters; Association, he desired to urge that an emphatic protest should be entered. They were not so anxious for a classification scneme, but they wanted a protest made publicly, and sent from the institute to the board.

.'. An Emphatic Protest. He moved, as an amendment:— ''That this meeting desires to protest emphatically against rtccnt appointments, and would 'respectfully request the board to announce some definite policy on which appointments are made." , "The motion was seconded by Mr. A, M'Kenzie. , • '■' ;.

Mr. G. Macmorran thought that the matter might bo referred to'the Management Committee of the institute, in order that an adequate statement of the whole position might bo prepared. Mr. H. A. Parkinson agreed. The chairman mentioned that among •'chose whose names' had not appeared on tho lists for these"' appointments were teachers.who had had: (a) Sixteen years' experience in the country, and 8J years' service iu the- city; 10$ , years in the country and 9 years iu town; 12 years in the country and 15!- years iu town;. 5 years in the country and 174 years in town. All were certificated teachers, while some were graduates and double graduates. Ho rather agreed that a stron" protest should be 'made, but deprecated any distinction being drawn between town and country teachers. It was a simple question of justice. Mr. F. A. Herapleman also supported the amendment, which was carried unanimously. .._■■' The chairman then moved "that there be added to the foregoing:—"And that the board take into consideration the scheme of classification lately advocated by this branch and laid, before the Education Commision by" a sub-committee of the branch.".