SCHOOL TEACHERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 116, 17 May 1907, Page 2

SCHOOL TEACHERS.

SOME IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS. [BT TSXEGBAPK. — PBESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, 16th May. A number of motions were discuasod by the Otckgo Education Board to-day doaling with matters affecting the teaching profession. Tho chairman (Mr. T. Mackenzie) moved : "That in order to place tho teaching profession on a satisfactory basis, and also iv secure efficient •'Ustr i<tion, tho Government be urged to introduce at an early date legislation providing for tho classification and promotion of teachers, together with tho granting of assured salaries ba6ed upon efficiency and length of service." j The motion \va3 carried. Tho chairman moved, "That whereas the Teachers' Education Act was passed in order to provide retiring allowanco for those in tho service of tho dopartmont, and, f urthor, with the object of improving the efficiency of tho service and of giving a hope of promotion to younger members of tho staff, and whoreas legislation of last session in a measures nullified tho two latter considerations, this board is of opinion that the Act bhould be amended in tho direction of requiring teachei'B and officers to retire at tho maximum »ge unless the Minister of Education should otherwise direct." The Rev. P. B. Fraser mentioned that the Municipal Council of Auckland had ordered 8s a day to be paid to their casual labourers, who thus received better pay than was given to teachers of thousands of children. A wage of 8s a day meant about £120 a year. A suggestion was made that the end of ths motion bo altered to tho effect that, subject to a recommendation of tho Education Board, the Minister may direct, retirement of an over-age teacher. This modification was accepted by tho mover, and the motion as amended was earned. The Rev. P. B. Fraser moved, "That in view of the large number of uncertificated teachers in the schools of the colony, and the fact that a vory large proportion of them have no educational status whatever, the Otago Education Board requests the Minister of Educ*tion to take stops to prevent snch a largo number of unqualified teachers settling down for any length of time in the rural schools of tho colony. With that end in viow, the board would rocommend for the Minister's favourable consideration tho proprietary o£ offering the samo privileges and allowances to uncertifieated teachers as are offered to ex-pxpil teachers under regulation 8, division A (training colleges), _ provided such teachers havo dono servico similar to pupil teachers, and arc lecommondcd by inspectors and approved by a board, and provided that thoy pass the matriculation examination of^ the University of New Zealand, the privileges and allowances being free tuition at training colleges and an allowanco of £30 ft year with fees of univonity college classes attended by the student, with a further addition or £30 ' a yoar in the caso of any student who is obliged to livo away* from home to attend the training college." Iho motion was carried. Mr. Fraser next moved, "That notice bo. sent to all uncertifieated teachers in a tbe. bojjjd'ji Ifivicfi th?.t th.§,bo»rd aiil

advertise their positions in the month of Febiuary next, and that they may apply with other applicants for the posi • tions advertised ; that tho said teachers be informed at the same time that the boafd will grant all facilities in its power to enablo them within a reasonable time to improve their educational status, such teachers as are studying with a view to pass examinations to inform the board at as early a date- as possible." He stated that there were sixty-five uncertifieated teachers in Otago. The Hon. T. Fergus said he could not support the motion. Tho ' sixty-five uncertifieated teachers wero in the board's employ becauso the board could get no one better. This proposal was altogether too drastic. Tho motion was lost.