CATHOLIC TEACHERS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 104, 27 January 1931, Page 8

CATHOLIC TEACHERS

New Association Formed

About one hundred teachers, including representatives from all parts of the Dominion, attended a conference held on January 21 and 22 for the purpose of forming a Catholic Teachers’ Association. A constitution was drafted and officers

were elected. Archbishop O’Shea welcomed the visiting teachers and expressed the hope that a strong association would be formed and that, much benefit would result from the discussions which would be held. The following officers were elected:— President, Very Rev. Father Dowling, S.M., M.A.; vice-presidents, Brother Fergus, M.Sc., and Brother Magee, 8.A.; secretary, Rev. Father Bowler, S.M., 8.A.; treasurer, Rev. Father Cullen, S.M., B.Sc. An executive was appointed consisting of representatives of all the Catholic teaching orders. Several of the proposals of the recent Parliamentary Education Committee were discussed at length. The proposal to raise the compulsory school age to fifteen years met with ready support, although it was recognised that the need for extra accommodation would increase the financial burden which already pressed heavily on Catholic parents. . Methods and schemes adopted in the teaching of Christian doctrine were discussed and several addresses were delivered on the subject of the training of annual conference is to be held in Christchurch.