PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 188, 11 May 1928, Page 16

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

ASSISTANT MASTERS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE The annual conference of the New Zealand Public Schools Assistant Masters’ Association was held yesterday, when there was a large attendance of delegates from both islands. The president (Mr. H. R. Fisher, Wellington) welcomed the delegates, and in his address dealt with the need for a conference on education composed of representatives from primary, secondary, and technical schools, and the university colleges, including agricultural colleges. This conference would deal only with big issues in the matter of national education. Such a body, he considered, should meet annually, and perhaps discuss not more than one or two great questions. A goal to be aimed at would be the formation of an Australasian Association for the advancement of education. with delegates meeting from time to time in the capital cities of Australian States and New Zealand. . Such an association would not , in any way encroach on the activities of any of the associations already in existence The annual report and _ balance-sheet, which showed the association to be in a strong financial position, were adopted. The conference proceeded to consider a lengthy list of remits, which will be submitted to the executive of the N.Z. E.L Remits adopted favoured more attention to the work of the League of Nations; the prime responsibility of dental clinics to the pupils of standard VI; the necessity for the N.Z.E.I. to set up a sub-committec to: reiiort on the whole system of inspection in primary schools; the discontinuance after the present year of junior national scholarships; and the restriction of legislation by Order-in-Couneil against which strong feeling was expressed. Strong exception was taken to the sick leave regulations, and the clause re “married allowance.” Important. aspects of superannuation and the staffing of schools l were discussed, and remits adopted in connection therewith. Reference was made to the Minister of Education’s refusal to permit a representative of the Assistant Masters’ Association to sit on the Syllabus-Revi-sion Committee, and it was urged that delegates of the association should be admitted to any further discussion of the provisional syllabus. The re-engagement of superannuated teachers to fill temporary vacancies was condemned as inimical to efficient instruction and management, and disturbing in its effect on the pupils. A proposal to urge the N.Z.E.I. to amend its constitution so as to have the central executive of tbnt body elected by postal vote met with strong opposition and was rejected.

The assistant masters, recognising the need for increased remuneration for the headmasters of schools of the highest grade, promised that endeavours to secure such increases would receive their strong support. On a remit from Wellington, it was decided that the headquarters of the association for 1928-29 be in' Auckland. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: President, Mr. V. H. Beasley (Auckland); vice-presidents, Messrs. 11. R. Fisher (Wellington), A. J. Woods (Otago) ; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. B. Fordyce (Auckland) ; executive, Messrs. Finlayson, Jackson, Finch, Harris and Boswell; honorary auditor, Mr. Hughes.