SCHOOL TEACHERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 146, 21 June 1940, Page 4

SCHOOL TEACHERS

CONDUCT REGULATED

POWER TO COMPLAIN

MINISTER'S ADVICE

Although stating that he believed there was very little Communism or subversion among school teachers, the Minister of Education (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason), in a statement to the Press last night, pointed out the power school committees have if there is dissatisfaction with the conduct of any teacher and the duty this power carries with it to complain if there is proper 'lause to do so. The Minister outlined the procediire which should be followed in such cases. "Amongst many staements that have j been made concerning Communist and other subversive activities in this country are some to the effect that these have been manifested to an alarming ' extent among school teachers," said the Minister. "No specific instance of subversive activity in the education system has been referred to the Education Department or to the Minister by any Education Board or other school governing authority. Generalised statements are of little help. It is well to bear in mind the share of responsibility -that rests in this matter on the shoulders of school committees, education boards, and other governing bodies. Under Section 72 of the Education Act it is provided that a school committee may recommend to the education board of the district the suspension or dismissal or transfer of any teacher. This power, of course, implies a corresponding duty. AUTHORITY AND DUTY. "The authority to complain carries with it the duty to compalin if there is a proper cause. A school committee is in far closer local touch and has more intimate knowledge than the Department or the Minister hundreds of miles away. That is the very justification for the existence of the school committee. Similarly, the board is closer to sources of actual knowledge than is a Minister or the Department, and has responsibility in the matter accordingly. The teachers, moreover, are the employees of the board and not of the Department. If there is dissatisfaction with the conduct of any teacher or with his influence there is no justi-. fication for the local people to bewail the fact that no remedy has been applied when they have not thought fit to make the complaint which they have the right to make and for the lack of which the need of remedy is not known. THE PROPER PROCEDURE. "In. making these observations I by no means wish to give the impression that Communism or subversion is widespread among teachers. I believe there is very little of 't. Incessant talking without action may, however, i make that little assume large proportions in the minds of the disputants and that is one reason for my pointing out an available remedy. The proper procedure is to complain in the first instance to the school committee of a primary school or the governing body ofj a post-primary school, giving specific information capable of being verified and acted upon. If satisfaction is not received from*a school committee, the matter can be taken up with the education board, or even with the Department. At the same- time, I do not wish this to be understood as suggesting that complaints should be made lightly, for it must be manifest that much injustice could easily be caused by irresponsible allegations which might also be actionable in a court of law."