RIGHT OF APPEAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22637, 14 May 1948, Page 3

RIGHT OF APPEAL

TEACHING POSITIONS CONFERENCE REMITS AMALGAMATION PLAN (P.A.) DUNEDIN, May 14. The adoption of a professional code was approved by the conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute. Mr. J. Box, Auckland, presented a report on the code which the conference adopted. "We must move forward to tne real control of our profession such as is exercised by other .professional bodies,” said Mr. Box. "The adoption of the professional code is the first step towards that control.” The right of appeal by teachers against non-appointment was reaffirmed unanimously by the conference. Mr. W. V. Hoban, Manawatu,. said that there was considerable dissatisfaction throughout New Zealand at the way the grading list was set aside and the manner in which a teacher’s application could be set aside in preference for one of lower grading. Teachers were led to believe that for ordinary positions the highestgraded suitable applicants would be appointed. The present position was that if a teacher was passed over in favour of a less highly-graded applicant the only redress was a complaint to the local management committee. The Education Act gave discretionary power to a board and a senior inspector could select a teacher who had not the highest grading. The obvious remedy was to restrict or remove altogether that power. What use was the grading list if an appointment depended on the personal iavour of one or two men? he asked.

The amalgamation of the three teacher organisations, the Technical Teachers’ Association, the Secondary Schools' Association and the N.Z. Educational Institute was recommended to the conference of the Education Institute by the president, Mr. G. H. Mitchell, Lyttelton, who moved that the Dominion executive be empowered to appoint three representatives to a joint committee charged with the responsibility of bringing before future meetings definite recommendations for an amalgamation of the three bodies. The motion was carried unanimously.