SPECIAL WORK

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 145, 16 March 1934, Page 12

SPECIAL WORK

School Appointments CHOICE OF TEACHERS The legislation authorising the selection of teachers for special positions and defining the exact nature of these appointments was referred to yesterday by the Minister of Education, Hon. R. Masters, when invited to comment on a report from Christchurch that teachers were dissatisfied over the increasing number of special appointments. “Since 1920 boards have regarded certain positions as ‘special’'positions, have advertised them accordingly, and have appointed the most suitable applicant without necessarily adhering to the graded fist,” said Mr. Masters “Under the authority of Section 2 (8) of the Education Amendment Act, 1932-3, gazetted on October 12, 1933. the following positions were defined as ‘special positions': —Infant mistresses. head teachers and assistants in Normal schools, head teachers in district high schools, assistants in secondary departments of district high schools, head teachers and assistants in intermediate schools and departments, teachers specially qualified to give instruction in particular subject's, teachers of classes for backward children. speech defectives and health defectives.

“The term ‘special appointment’ has been defined,” continued the Minister, “and any of the positions named in the Order-in-Council may be advertised as a special position if in the opinion of tiie board and the senior inspector a teacher of a particular description, or with special qualifications, is required for the position. For many years it has been considered desirable to advertise certain positions as ‘special’ positions, and the boards are acting within the regulations in advertising as special positions vacancies for infant mistresses or teachers on the staff of an intermediate school or department. Whether or not the number of special appointments in any one year under any board is large or small depends to a great extent upon the number of positions, which may be regarded as ‘special,’ that have become vacant during that year.”