"HEADMASTERS' COMPLAINTS"

Evening Post, Issue 59, 10 March 1924, Page 6

"HEADMASTERS' COMPLAINTS"

10 THE EDITOR.

Sir,—A telegraphic report headed as above has just reached me. The matters dealt with are of such public importance that, although not now directly connected with educational work, being a superannuitant, a long experience gives me a claim to express my views for the benefit-of teachers generally, and specially for the information of the public. I have not yet seen the new departmental regulations dealing with the management and control of schools, but the Head Masters' Association disagree with the regulations: (a) That in large schools the first assistant master should have a definite share in the management of the school; (b) that the first woman assistant should have £30 additional for extra work imposed on her in supervising the education of girls; and (c) that a head teacher is to devote the major part of his time to the work of actual teaching. . .

In mv opinion these regulations are just what are wanted to bring out what is best in our present scheme'of primary education.

(a) In every school a &rst assistant master ought to be much more than a mere class teacher, as in the case of the junior staff. Both in attainments and experience it is assumed he is qualified to discharge- the duties of headmaster when called on to act, and his'skill equally with his knowledge should be available for the benefit of the school in which he tetaches. A first assistant master should be in a position to advise and offer suggestions without in. an y wav affecting the authority of the head mas"ter. A first assistant master with plenty of initiative may very greatly influence the success of a school. He should con-' trol criticism, and model lessons and games. Physical drill and field classes should have their origin as part of the duties of a first assistant after consultation with his principal. ' It is difficult to: know m what way such duties placed m the hands of a first assistant would hinder in any way a headmaster's authority.

(b) The objection against, the first assistant mistress receiving an extra £30 a year for special duties smacks of jealousy. Does a headmaster perform all the school duties for which he is paid? And why does a headmaster of a district high school receive .£3O a year additional salary? Certainly not for extra work, but _ merely for extra' responsibility^ .as in the case of a headmaster Ine mixed school saves the salary ot a lady principal, and £30 of the saving are to be given to the first woman assistant for the greater responsibilities imposed in the training of girls and female helpers. (c) Is it not time to recognise that a, headmaster with a staff of efficient assistants should be something more than .a classroom visitor, a filler-up of returns and a drawer-up of schemes of instruction? Now, the first assistant master is the finsher in the school course and the influence of a headmaster is but little felt. The Department rightly requires that the headmaster's skill be oftener exercised on those whose primary school course is nearing completion. It is not mere text-book facts that are wanted, but the daily intercourse of pupils with a mature mind that can suggest difficulties and point a way tj overcome them in a competitive world in the school of life. One is surprised at headmasters urging this aspectof school training "to be wrong in principle and impossible ot attainment." ... In,,most of the lareer schools the staffing is made up of teachers who ar c recognised as efficient academically and technically, and a headmaster s duties other than clerical are very small. ' •

- I heartily support the Department on. the point raised in this letter. In any case., a friendly criticism can only end ni good, hence this contribution to your columns.—l am, etc.; -r . H. HILL. Taupo, 4th March.