EDUCATION CONFERENCES

Evening Star, Issue 22956, 13 May 1938, Page 14

EDUCATION CONFERENCES

SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS APPOINTMENTS BOARD DESIRED [Pee United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 12. After an animated debate the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Association resolved at its annual conference to-day that “ This association urge the establishment of a National Appointments Board and that a conference consisting of representatives of the Education Department, principals and boards of governors and assistants should be set up to consider the best means of giving effect to this reform.” Other motions were carried and remits adopted as follows: “ That any pupil who has obtained a higher leaving certificate should in the opinion of this association be qualified to matriculate.” “That in view of the diversified curricula in our secondary schools, which was not foreseen when the present staffing schedules were drawn up, and, considering the importance of the full participation of teachers in extra school activities, the staffing schedules should be modified to allow one assistant to 25 pupils.” “ That, when amalgamation is being considered, the department be asked to consider the advisability of limiting schools to between 500 and 600 pupils.” “ That the department be asked to make a per capita grant to libraries.” “That this association considers that amalgamation of the two postprimary teachers’ associations would be in the best interests of all members.” “ That all salary cuts be restored.” “ That, in view of the importance of physical education and welfare, the Minister be asked to make provision for the appointment of fulltime physical educators.” Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr J. Hutton; vice-presi-dent, Mr H. A. Heron; executive— Miss Stewart, Messrs W. A. Armour, E. N. Hogben, J. N. Millard, G. W. Morice, H. Henderson and E. W. Espiner; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. H. Thom. INVESTMENT SOCIETY TO BE FORMED A Teachers’ Investment Society, to encourage thrift among members, to raise funds by way of contributions from members and to make advances to members, is to be established by the New Zealand Educational Institute, which at its annual meeting in Wellington to-day authorised the setting up of a provisional board for this purpose. The institute decided to guarantee £SOO for the inauguration of the scheme and to invite from members applications for shares. In a report on the proposal it was suggested that the monthly contributions should range from 5s to 60s, and the rate of interest to be allowed on contributions and charged on loans should be fixed by the board from time to time.

CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED The New Zealand Educational Institute considers that, to report to the Minister on important matters of educational principle and practice, a consultative committee should be set up. The institute at its annual meeting in Wellington to-day decided to recommend that the committee should consist of 15 members, including the Director of Education, seven members noted for their interest in education (to be nominated by the Minister of Education), two members to be elected by the primary school teachers, and one each by education boards, secondary school teachers, technical school teachers, the combined staffs of the four training colleges and the University Senate. It was decided that a report on the subject, prepared by Mr M. Riske, should be submitted to the executive for elaboration and then handed to the Minister of Education (Mr P. Fraser) as a recommendation. DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES The New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Association carried the following motion at its annual conference to-day:— That, in view of the public statement that the Education Amendment Bill provides for the abolition of the opening devotional exercises in schools controlled by the Department of Education and their abolition in secondary schools, if such is the intention of the present Government it should be strongly opposed. Th'ere was no discussion, but a few “Noes” were heard when the motion was put. RIGHTS OF TEACHERS A motion, “That in view of the general election this year, the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Association should ask from the two leading political organisations an assurance that full civilian liberty and freedom of speech will continue to be enjoyed by teachers equally with other sections of the community,” was carried without dissent by the conference of the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Association today.