TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 270, 20 August 1925, Page 15

TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE

REMITS ADOPTED. The forty-second annual conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute was continued on Tuesday. Mr. J. E. Purchase, M.A. (Christchurch) presided. The following remits, among others, were carried:— "That, in view of the large number of women teachers and of the special needs of girls in our schools, the time has come for the appointment of capable women to the inspectorate and to administrative positions in tho Education Department” "That some of the organising teachers be women.” "That holidays for primary schools be synchronised throughout the Dominion.” "That in the larger schools better office accomodation and facilities bo provided.”

"That tho Government bo urged to review thoroughly the whole question of housing teachers, so that, where necessary, residences, ©Toviding a standard of comfort and convenience, commensurate with the professional status of teachers, be generally maintained.” "Since the Education Department imposes upon trainees an obligation to serve for a specified term, tho institute is of opinion that it should be incumbent on the Department to provide continuity of service for ex-trainees; and further, it suggests that in the event of a board being unable, through lack of vacancies, It, provide employment for all extrainees and other certificated teachers, tho board shall create vacancies by requiring uncertificated teachers vTthout a License to relinquish f|ie positions they may be holding. Such positions shall then be filled in the ordinary way." Yesterday morning’s session was occupied with the consideiation of the executive’s report, which was taken in committee, and the afternoon was devoted to remits. . The executive’s report, which was adopted, reads, in part, as follows r"The roll of members now stands nt 4794 a net increase of 189. During the ’ year new branches have been established under the titles South Taranaki Golden Bay-Motueka, and Waiinate'. Each fills a decided want in the respective districts. The total assets of the institute now amount to j£7363 Os. 9d., and the executive thought it advisable to transfer an additional JJ2OQO to the permanent investment with the Public Trustee. In view of the modern developments in education anil the lessening extent to which arithmetic assumes an important place therein tho N Z E I. regrets'tho fact that the modified'syllabus in arithmetic has not been brought more into lino with the necessities and experiences of life, and suggests that before any steps are taken to issue textbooks based thereon a further consideration of tho syllabus bo made. The executive feels that tha institute can congratulate itself on a condition of vitality and capacity for work Without doubt there is a very favourable attitude in the public nnnd towards education, and if some such scheme of publicity and propaganda us is to be considered at this meeting is put into operation, members may very well anticipate an early period of educational expansion." The following are amongst the remits adopted:— , , , "That the Department again ho urged to make provision to m.eet ths needs of the 'intelligent but non-academic children, who are, under present regulations, unable to qualify for admission to a high school; and that there should be some class in primary, high and technical high schools where tho education of these children may bo continued in order that they may qualify for a leaving certificate.” . “That preparatory classes taught along kindergarten linos and under departmental control should be attached to all large schools to enter for the needs of children under school ago and for children under a mental ago of six years.” “That scholarships be abolished and the money saved devoted to providing hoarding 'allowances for children from country schools.” "That tho institute recognises and appreciates the valuable work of the Minister of Education in reducing tho maximum size of classes in accordance with the institute’s phitfonh, and urges tho continuation of tho policv until tho maximum number of a standard class taught by one teacher reduced to 80.”