SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 17925, 22 March 1922, Page 7

SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ ASSOCIATION

Mr "W, H. Steele presided over the quarterly meeting of tho School Committees’ Association of Otago, held last night in the Education Board’s office. QUARTERLY REPORT.

The usual report was submitted by tho secretary. This showed that the past quarter had heon a quiet one as regards matters affecting the association. The report added; Tho want of unanimity in regard to school holidays has long been existent, and tho executive has been giving this matter earnest consideration with a view to working out a schemo that will meet with Iho approval of all committees, and do away with the present unsatisfactory state of affairs. A scheme will bo submitted for consideration of the delegates, and it is hoped it will meet with approval. The work of erecting permanent memorials to thoso_ who took part in tho great war is being carried out in most of the schools, and before long each school should bo in possession of something tangible to mark their prido and appreciation of those old scholars who heard the call of duty and cheerfully responded to it. Since the last meeting memorials have been unveiled at Kaikorai and Green Island Schools. Tho vexed question of the high cost of school hooks was considered by tho Dunedin branch of the Teachers’ Institute at. its last meeting, as was also tho matter of the continual alterations that were being made in some of tho class books in use in tho schools. Now editions of hooks were being issued containing only tho slightest of alterations. This was putting some parents ,to extra expense, and was greatly hampering tho work of tho teachers, as in some classes there are three editions of one book in use. The results of the deliberation of the Institute have been forwarded to tho association for approval and endorsement. It is with very groat regret that wo have to record tho death of Mr W. Davidson, head master of tho Mornington School, who passed away in December lost. Mr Davidson had boon in the forefront of educationists in the Dominion for a great many years past, and his ripe experience and sound judgment on matters pertaining to education were recognised by all. He was a member of the Education Commission which was sot up and toured New Zealand in 1912. Mr I). A. R. M‘Ewcn, a delegate to the association from tho Ravonsbourno Committee, also died recently. Our sympathy is extended to the sorrowing relatives of tho deceased. With reforenco_ to school holidays, tho Chairman said tho executive had considered tho matter of synchronising them as far as tho town schools were concerned, and recommended the adoption of the following dates:—Easter holii -vs, April 13, 14, 17, 18; winter vacatiofij May 26, 29, 30, 31, Juno 1,2, 5,6: spring vacation, August 28, 29, 80, 31, September land 4; Christmas vacation, December 20 to January 30 (inclusive) ; Anniversary Day, March 23; Labor Day, Monday, October 23 ; King’s Birthday. June 5. This absoorbed tliroo our of the five of tho extra days allotted by tho board, and loft two onlv for allotment by committees on special occasions. Tho dates synchronised with tho holidays observed by tho secondary schools. Mr P. Johnson moved that the list bo approved. Mr J. 11. Wilkinson said that tho board had no wish to encroach on the privileges of tho committees in this .matter, but only recently they had been abused. A difficulty had been encountered in South Dunedin, where there was only one hall suitable for break-up celebrations, which were always very largely attended there, and the three schools could not closo on tho same clay. Some latitude must therefore bo allowed. Some committees had not opened their schools on the Ist February, but for all holidays other than tho Christmas vacation it was possible to closo on the one day and open on tho one clay.

Mr M'Le'an said the Anderson Bay School war. one that did not open until February 2, but the committee did not know anything about the regulations. Mr J. Wallace said it was evidently rot foasiblo for nil schools to close on the same day for the Christmas holidays. The hoard had appointed a committee to consider the matter of holidays, and ho could promise them that the regulations would be tightened considerably. Ho was strongly in favor of opening on the Tuesday instead of the Monday after the Christmas holidays, so as to enable children to spend an extra week-end in the country. Ho believed in synchronisation, hut it was necessary to allow some latitude. They must remember that the hoard had to legislate for 230 schools in the country as well as in the town, and they must consider that Labor Day and Anniversary Day appealed very little to country committees. After further discussion the scheme was adopted, and it was resolved to send out a circular to the various committees and to tho Education Board. COST OF SCHOOL BOOKS. Speaking on the cost of school books, Mr Baton said lie bad gone into the matter very carefully, and ho found that boobs,' etc., cost a pupil in tho First Standard 5s 7d; Standard 11., 5s 8d; Standard 111., 15s 2d (hut three of the items wore non-recurring, as they were used in tho succeeding classes); Standard IV., 7b 2d : Standard V., Bs, sd; Standard VI., 10s. In Standard i VI. no fewer than three arithmetics were in use. Tho differences were only trilling, but they led to confusion, owing to lessons being on different pages. Ho believed that in the Canterbury district the department issued books, and there was a great saving. He thought a small committee should he sot up to consider the matter and report to tho nest meeting of tho association.. Mr Johnson seconded the motion. Tho Chairman said ho had boon told at "Wellington that the Canterbury system had failed, hut on inquiry a u Christchurch ho found that it was a success, and the department had made a profit of from £IBO to £2OO in a year. A book that cost 6d in the shops was supplied at 2d, and foolscap that was sold at 6s a ream cost 24s in the shop. Tho difference meant a gain of from 2o to 4.0 per cent, to tho parent. _ The motion was carried, and it was left to the executive to take action alter consultation with tho .Head Masters’ Association and tho senior mspcctoi. cORRESpONDENCE _

A letter was mad from the secretary of the League of Kalians Union inviting the association to appoint two dele-' gates to a conference on Monday evening next to consider the matter of dovisino- means for the furtherance of the objects of the union.—The chairman and the secretary (Mr L. Sanderson) of the Federated Association vrroto suggesting Hi at the Schools’ Committees should bo represented on the Council of Education by t-.ro members, ono representing the South Island and ono the North; also, that instead of sending on to committees ono name only—that of the highest graded—-three or more names or teachers’siytablo for appointment to any vacancy be iorsvarded, provided they are not separated by more than five marks.—The executive’s recommendation was adopted. APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS. With reference to the matter of submitting the names of three or more teachers to committees, Mr J. Wallace (chairman of the Education Board) pointed'out that hoards could not send on more than three names. Mr F. W. Paton spoke in favor of committees having some choice in the matter of the appointment of teachers. If boards could not send on more than three names they should certainly lie moved that the

recommendation mentioned in the Federated Association -proddent’s letter be endorsed. Mr Priest seconded the motion. Mr R. Ferguson opposed it, and expressed himself as in favor of selecting on the grading system. Ho could never consider that committees were the host men to consider the merits of teachers. The ones most qualified to judge were the inspectors. If tho resolutions wore carried they would be advocating a' return to _ the old system, which had proved a failure. Sir Wallace expressed himself an opposed to appointing on the graded list, but as tho law stood they must do it. If they were going to alter tho present method they must abolish the grading system. Ho sometimes thought that if teachers „woro within one mark of each other all tho names of those equal should bo sent on, but it might load to trouble. As matters stood tho name of the teacher most highly graded must bo sent on; but they should know that a teacher was suited to a district and the district was suited to the teacher. Tho Otago Board know its teachers well, and knew its district well. tßosides, the Training College authorities kept it well posted in tho qualifications of teachers iust coming out. The motion was subsequently withdrawn. GENERAL. The recommendation of tho executive' that tho subscriptions to the association bo increased to £1 Is and 10s bd for committees, and 5s for country committees was adopted. . , Tho executive recommenced that r,o raise funds a concert ho arranged, the programme to consist entirely or school items and that the executive meet the head ’masters and endeavor to enlist their sympathies in tho cilcrt. Adopted.