New Zealand Educational Institute.

Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3, 4 January 1889, Page 3

New Zealand Educational Institute.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. At ycstorday afternoon's sitting of tlio Council of the New Zealand Educational Instituto, Mr. Cowles, Nelson, intimated tliafc he intended bringing up again the recommendation of tho Nelson Branch rolativ« to teohnioal olasseß which had been thrown ont by the Education Act Amendment Committeo. Tho report of tho Standards and Standards' Regulations Committee was brought np as follows by Mr. J. C. Adams, Auckland:—!. "That Government be reqnostod to roturn to tho system of paying on the working average instead of the strict average" 2. " Withrogard to olauso 2, Taranaki — ' That rale 6of tho Standards' Regulations for 1835 bo amundod tw follows :— The words, " during the three quarters preceding tho quarter in which the examination takes place," should bo omitted, and tbeee inaortod in thoir placo, " Binco the previous examination," and that tho words "the three quarters" (repeated) bealtorodto " such poriod;" and that in Standards' Rogulations for 1885, tho word " half" bo omitted, and the word "two-thirds" be insortod instead theroof ;' and olause 2, Waikato, ' That regulation 6 be altered so that it may bo necessary for a ohild to make an attendance of 75 per cont. of the total number of timoß tho school has been open during the threo quarters previous to the examination instead of 50 per cent, as at present specified '—the Council adhere to the opihion expressed by it at the last meeting at Nelson." 3a. "That drawing be a class subject as recommended by tho Council at its mooting at Nelson." 3b. " That freehand drawing only should be roqnirod from Standard 1 to Standard 4, inolusivo, and one branoh for each succeeding' standard, the teacher dvawing up a two years' course to be submitted for the approval of the lnspeotor." 4. "With regard to clause 1, Waikato, 'That a code of instructions to Inspectors, similar to that in use in the English elementary schools for the examination in standards, be drawn up by the Minister of Education, 1 the proposal cannot be ontortained until the Inspectors are placed under oontrol of the Central Department." 5. " With regard to the proposal of Mr. Cowles, the committee recommond that in all schools where' children of all ages and standards are taught by one teacher the optional olass subjeots (proposed syllabus, 1888) bo not demanded. 1 " The proposal of Mr. Cowles referred to was as follows :— " That the work demanded from schools be regulated by the number of tho teaohing staff, as follows s— ln all schools where ohildron of all ages and standards are taught— (a; By one teacher, the compulsory subjeots for individual passes only. (6) With two teaohers, the foregoing .(in a) with, compulsory class subjects, (c) With three teachers, the foregoing (in 6) with optional olass subjects, (d) With four teachers, the foregoing (in c) with science, (c) With fivo or more teachers, the whole group." Tho last clause in tlie report was struck out, and the word "additional" inserted betwoen the words " one " and " branch " in clause 38. The remaining clauses were adopted Without alteration, on the motion of Mr. J. Adams (Auckland), seconded by Mr. C. Chilton (Otajjo). On the motion of Mr. Home (Wellington), aooonded by the Secretary (Mr. H. Worthington, Auckland) it was resolved, " That wo deoply rogret the absence of Mr. Harkness, of Nolson, late Presidont, from tho council table, owing to ill-health, and beg to express tho heartiest sympathy with him in his 111neps." The Committee on Toachers' Examinations) reported that they had adopted tho recommendation from the Wellington Institute — " That all teaohors in the servico of any Board holding a D certificate shall have permission to sit for the University examination without holding any conneotion with an affiliated oollege." The words " the University examination " wore atruok out, and the words " B and A certificate " inserted. The last threo words were struck out, and the words "a University College" inserted in their stead. The Committee further reported that they had approved the following recommendations from Otago: — " That the elementary science syllabus as at present presoiibed for the I> and E certificates is too extended, and thfit a better scientific training would be gained if the teaobor were allowed to soleot two branches," and_ " That the history period for D examination bo the same as that for matrioulation." With regard to the recommendation from Southland—' That the present system of classification of teaohers was unsatisfactory,' and the reports of branohes, on Mr. Reynolds' (Marlborongh) motion, the committee reported that as the prooeding resolutions virtually covered the recommendations, they had no further suggestion to offer with reference to the olaasifioation of teaohors. On the motion of Mr. Murray (Waikato), seconded by Mr. Langford (Nelson), the report was adopted. The Counoil adjourned at 5.30 o'olook until 7.30 p.m. When the Counoil resumed at 7.30 p.m., Mr. Reynolds apologised for the absence of Mr. J. P. Luoas (Marlborough), and announced that Mr. Ogilvie had arrived to fill that gentleman's plaoe. Mr. Scott (Christohuroh) brought up tho report of tho Pupil Teachers' Committee. The first recommendation, "That the age of pupil teacher candidates be not less than 14 years," was moved by Mr. Scott. Mr. Home moved an amsndmont, " That the age should be not less than 15," Mr. Reynolds seconding. The motion was carried. The second resolution was moved by Mr. Scott, and seconded by Mr. Langford (Nelson). It was as follows :— " That all candidates for appointment should have passed tho sixth standard." Mr. Home (Wellington) moved an amendment, Mr. Covrl«8(NelBcn) seconding, "That all candidates should be required to pass something equivalent to a sixth standard examination." Tho resolution was oarried. Mr. Soott also moved another recommendation of the committee—" That tbo term of the pupil teacher's engagement bo not less that four years," This was seconded by Mr. C. Watson (Wellington), and agreed to. Mr. Scott proposed—" That tho time has not arrived when a uniform syllabus of instruction could be drawn up which would be acceptable to all parts of the colony." This was seconded by Mr. Langford (Nelson), and lost. Mr. Scott then moved, in accordance with a resolution of the Committee, " That the Counoil iB of opinion that the final examinations should be the E examination or the matrioulation examination at the option of the pupil teacher, and that the syllabus of instruction throughout the four years' course should lead up to this examination," After somo disonssion the resolution was withdrawn, and the roport, as amended, was then adopted. The Business Committee rocommended (1) That it be a suggestion to the branoh Institute at the centres where tho Counoil meet, that an open meeting be held, at which all teachers and those interested in education may attend for the discussion of educational topios. (2) That the Counoil be asked to adopt the recommendation of MidCanterbury, that the syllabus adopted by the Counoil in January, 1888, be approved. (3) With regard to the recommendation by MidCanterbury, that it was desirable that greater efforts bo made than hitherto to have carried into effect the recommendations of the Council to the Education Department, the Committee reported that they had passed the following resolution : — " That it be a recommendation to the Counoil that reasons in favour of resolutions, passed by the Connoil for submission to the Minister for Education, be forwarded to him, along with the resolutions, and be also embodied in the Council's reports, euch reasons to be drawn np by a committee, to be appointed as soon as oaoh resolution is agreed to, and the Minister be informed that the Council would be glad to receive his opinions thereon." (4) With reference to tho recommendation by Mid Canterbury, •" that the time had arrived when the Now Zealand Educational Institute should be the owner of a paper similar to the New Zealand Sohoolmaster, but of a more useful and advanced character ; and that the Seoretary of the Counoil should be a paid officer and aot as editor of said paper," the Committee reoommended that a committee be appointed to consider during the year the practicability and desirableness! or otherwise of taking over the New Zealand Schoolmaster publioation, or of establishing an educational paper. Tho first clause was lost, and tho second ai-merl to. A lonjr discussion took place with rp;*arrl to the third clau=o, find eventually iho further consideration of tbr> report was po^t^oiiod until noxt morning. In accordance with notice, Mr. Dempsey (Taranaki) moved, " That in the interests of the smaller districts it is desirable that a

more uniform scalo of salaries throughoul the oolony should bo adopted." Tho resolution whb seconded by Mr. E, Samuel (Wairarapa), and agreed to. The Council adjonmod at 10 p.m. until X o'clock this morning. To-day'h Sitting. Tho Council renamed at 10 a.m. to-day. Mr. Ogilvie took his seat as one of tho representatives of Marlborough, vice Mr. Lucas, who was unable to attend. Mr. Worthington, Anckland, reHumed the debato on tho Bnsiness Committeo's roport, and BUgijestod the excision of tho words in clause 3 after " agreed to." An amendment was moved by Mr. Chilton, Otago, and seconded by Mr. Jnut, Canterbury, " That with the view of giving greater effect to the recommendations of the Conncil it is desirable that arrangements be made at each meeting for a deputation to wait upon the Minister of Education to bring prominently before him tho more important points decided upon by the Council, and to urgo upon him the reasons of suoh deciejonß." This was oarried. With regard to clause 4, relative to the Now Zealand Schoolmaster, an amondmont was moved by Mr. Dompsey ITaranaki), That, with the view of making the New Zealand SoboolmaHtor of more praofcical value to the teaching profession, this Council requests teachers in the different districts to tako a greater interest in the paper by supplying reports of Institutes and other matters connected with education." Mr. Home (Wellington) seconded the amendment, which was agreed to. Tho roport as amended was then adopted. On the motion of Mr. Reynolds (Marlborough), Beoonded by Mr. G. H. Smith (Otago), it was decided to pay tho travelling oxpenHes of the Secretary in connection with tho present meeting of the Council. The Troasuror (Mr. Scott) presented the annual balance-sheet, showing the receipts to havo boon .£4l 0s (id, and the expenditure .£2O Is Bd, leaving a balanco in hand of .£l4 18a lOd. Mr. Cowles movod the resolutions of the Nelson Instituto, urging that Government should bo requested to subsidiso technical clauses at the rate of £ for £ of subscriptions or rates raised locally | that tho children be allowed to travel free by rail to and from the nearest technical class ; that attendance at a teohnioal olaes be counted as attendance at the school to which the scholar belongs ; and that only those classes bo recognised which are approved by tho Educational Department. Mr. Reid (Otago) seconded. Tho resolutions woro withdrawn aftor somo discussion in favour of another by Mr. G. Smith (Canterbury), seconded by Mr. Just (Canterbury), " That wo re-affirm tho decision of tho Council at Nolson last yoar, viz., ' that it is desirable to affirm the principlo of technical education ; that as regards primary schools, technical education must, an a rulo, be restricted to drawing, needlework, and elementary scionce ; that, having regard to the present unfortunate necessity for economy, it would be inopportuno to urge upon the Govornmont the establishment^ aeparato technical sohools.' " This resolution was agreed to. Mr. Just (Canterbury) proposed, " That it is dosirablo a committee should be appointed to watoh, during tho session of Parliament, the progress of educational debates, for the purposo of controverting through the press, or otherwise, any mis-statements that may be made, such committee for the year to consist of tho Rev. T. Flavell, Messrs. Soott, Granger, Foster, and Just, and that all communications pass through tho Secretary of the Instituto." Thia was aeconded by Mr. Murray (Waikato), and agreed to. Mr. Cowles gave notice for the next annual meeting of tho Conncil .— " That District Institutes having ten bona fide membors bo allowed to Bend one delegate to the Council i having thirty members,- to sond two delegates : having aixty members, threo delegates ; and one delegato for every thirty additional members." Mr. G. H. Smith (Otago) movod, Mr. Chilton lOtago) secondod, and it was agreed to, " That the next meeting of the Council be held in Dnnedin, commencing on the Bth January, 1890." The election of office-bearers resultod as follows :— President, Mr. D. White (Otago) ; Secretary, Mr. H. Worthington, Auokland (re-elected) ; Treasurer, Mr. G. J. L. Scott, Christohuroh (re-elected) ; Committee for the Educational Court at tho New Zealand Exhibition, Dunodin— Messrs. D. White, Wilson, and Reid, all of Dunodin. Votes of thanks were passed tn tho Governors of the Girls' High School and the Lady Prinoipal for tho uro of the meeting room; to the press of Wellington for the publicity /riven to the proceedings of tho Counoil ; to the retiring President, Secretary, and Treasurer, for their past sorvices ; and to the authorities of tho Athenanim for the privileges extended to tho members of the Conucil. The proceedings then terminated.