COUNCIL OF EDUCATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 241, 29 June 1918, Page 9

COUNCIL OF EDUCATION

FOURTH DAY'S PROCEEDINGS MOTIONS PASSED Tho General Council of Munition concluded its sittings vestirday. Dr. W. J. Anderson (Director of Education) presided. Tho following motions were carried:--1. That in view <>(' the great distances traversed by country children in attending secondary schools, it. is essential that school hostels be established in all the large centres as soon as possible, and that tho same principle be adopted in the caso of training colleges, where the necessities are equally urgent. Education Between 14 and 17. 1. That, it shall bo compulsory for every boy and girl between the ages of 1-1 and 17 yc'trs living within three miles of technical or continuation classes to attend such classes for not lorfs than 120 hours a year (say three hours a week for JO weeks in tho year), unless such boy or pirl is already receiving suitable instruction etsewlmre. The classes referred to should be held during the da,\ time, except in case.i where permission to hold them at other times is given oy the director in accordance with the regulations. 2. That the conditions of clause t shall he deemed to be fulfilled by attendance at n secondary school, technical nigh school, or district high school for an equal period as from !> a.m. to noon on Saturday. 3. That where required for the purpose of giving effect to clause 1 classes shall be established at all public schools above Grade 3A, and may be established in schools of low°r grades where possible. 4. That 10 per centnm, with a minimum of ,£3O, bo added to the salaries of teachers taking up tho work. a That agriculture or domestic science be regarded as a compulsory subject for the teachers' examinations. 6. That employers be required to givo facilities for the attendance of such,persons at such classes on one half-day in each week or the equivalent thereof us approved bv the Director of Education in accordai.ce with regulations. 7. Special stress should be laid on the teaching of domestic science in tho 'ase of girls who have not chosen a definite occupation, and on the teaching of agriculture in the case of boys who are similarly situated. 8. The council considers that tho noneducation of boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 17 constitutes a menace to the welfare of tho country. Public Schools Staffing. That jvitli a view to improving ilie staffing in the largy primary schools:— 1. The process ot substituting assistants for pupil-teachers bo continued in accordance with part 1 of tho fifth schedule to the Act with the least possible delay. 2. Salaries and allowances of probationers and pupil-teachers be not less than the salaries and allowances to cadets of the same standing in the Public Servico. 3. Either instead of or supplementary to tho present system of obtaining entrants to the teaching profession indnty:ments should bo given by grants of bursaries in addition to free education to pupils of not less than two years' standing in a secondary school, technical high school, or a district high school. 4. The power given under the Education Act and its amendments for the establishment of subsidiary model schools bo put into operation with tho least possible delay. 5. That with a view to increasing the number of apprentice teachers the following temporary expedient bo adopted :— (1) Release from the obligations from attendance at a training college at tho end of their course of any .apprentice teachers who are specially recommended by the senior iusnector of tho district and that the period for completion of their training bo extended. , (2)-Make the allowances paid to students entering the training colleges under Division A or Division B equal to the salary and allowance paid to pupil teachers in their fourth year. ( 3 ) A' l , o "' .training college students (both Division A and Division B), subject to regulations, to divide their courso so tlint they mny extend their two years' training' over a longer period than two years, and bo availablo in tho intervals between the several parts of their course to take temporary positions in schools. That the present regulations limiting the number of B students be relaxed (see Regulation (4) That pupil teachers, who, at the j™ of their tw« years of servic have qualified in scholarship for entry to a framing college, although the term of pupil teacherV p J- a ? ? ofc 130011 completed, be admitted thereto forthwith if tluv are so recommended bv lhe senh'r inspector of the district. fi. That the first increase of staff in schools as prescribed by (he sixth column lo the fifth schedule to the Act should be in schools of grade G and 7 and, further, that in tb case of a rapidly increasing school (he staff should bo increased earlier than is provided for in Table B of the regulations for the stalling of schools. Inspectors. 1. That tho stall' of inspectors be increased, and tho salaries of inspectors, and especially (hose of tho chief ami eeiuoii inspectors, be materially increased. -. Conferences of ii.spectors (including medical inspectors) and teachers to be held periodically, at which the reports on educational progress and tho success or otherwise of methods and schemes be discussed. Other Motions, That the council urges upon the Government the necessity of making provision without delay lor more i-dequato spaco in buildings and playgrounds, and more attention to the sanitary cci.dition of buildings. That tho training and guidance of inexperienced teachers in small «choois bo provided for by tho appointment of a number of young leachors of special promise and' nuitablo experience lo act a« organising teachors for belceted groups of schools within each of tho education districts, and that the necessary legislation be taken at tho earliest moment to enable such appointments lo bo made. Recess Committees were appointed to deal with—(a) Local control in educational administration; (b) tho primary school syllabus; (c) the '.'urricuila of secondary schools; (d) child welfare. The council then closed with complimentary resolutions lo (he chairman and tho secretarial staff.