TRAINING COLLEGE CERTIFICATES.

Grey River Argus, 12 April 1916, Page 5

TRAINING COLLEGE CERTIFICATES.

DISCUSSED BY THE GREY

BOARD

MEMBERS' OPINIONS AT

VARIANCE

At the meeting of the Grey Board of Education on Monday night the question of the value of certificates was discussed at length, and members grew quite vehement in expressing their views on the subject.

The subject arose through the discussion of the Inspector's report which was as follows: — -

I beg to submit the following: recommendation with reference to the positions stated: —

10th Assistant, Grey mouth District High School.— Miss T. Greaney is the only applicant holding a certificate and her selection is required by the Education Act.

4th, Assistant, Runanga School. — Miss Delaney's examination qualifications and Mr. Southward's longer teaching experience place them above the other applcants; they may be the other applicants ; they may be considered fairly equal in merit.

I beg further to state the opinion with reference to the allotment of holidays that, as the town schools appear to differ, it will be advisable to allow each committee to decide in what .way the three weeks' vacation allowed during the year shall be distributed. Thus schools closing- Easter week can reduce later vacation by a week. '

Mr. Penhalluriach asked whether it had not been agreed at a former meeting of th eßoard that teachers with two years' training college experience should • have preference^ over those who had no such experience. Miss L. O'Donnell had on this supposition given up a position bearing a salary of .£730 a year and had gone to the Wellington Training College at £60 a year. Miss Greaney had a C 5 certificate and had spent two years at the Wellington Training College. She had been set for by the Board to come back. She had done some relieving work at Runanga, but had since been out of work. If they looked through the list of recent appointments they could find that Hellier's Terrace had been vacant and Mrs. Smeaton, who had only an E3 certificate, had been appointed in place of Miss Greaney, who had a C 5 certificate. - This was not fair treatment to any teachers and dicf not encourage them to improve their positions. Mrs. Smeaton was receiving £200 with an E3 certificate. It was not fair to Miss Greaney, who should be receiving at least £230.

Mr. Ryall said that he had been of a similar opinion to that of Mr. Penhalluriach until he had made enquiries. It was not the custom to put an inexperienced teacher in sole charge of a school.

The Chairman said that the Principal of the Wellington Training College had sent out a confidential report on the merits of each of the students, and it was evidently after reading this that Mr. Morton had selected Mrs. Smeaton in preference to Miss Greaney.

Mr. Noble said that, to liis mind a certificated teacher without experience was no good.

Mr. Penhalluriach asked why then did the Board induce Miss O'Donnell to give up a position worth ,£l3O and go to the training college for .£6O. It gave teachers no encouragement to get training college experience.

The Chairman said that the recom mendations were made by the inspector and not by the Board. This was laid down by the new Education Act

The Chairman added that Miss Greaney had refused Roa. She had also been offered and had accepted the position of relieving teacher at Moana. She. had already cost the Board £240 and had been out of work only a month. He had- not seen Miss Greaney, but he x had seen her brother from Runanga and had- told him that she could have the position of relieving teacher at Roa. The brother had replied : 'I would not have Roa on my mind.'"

Mr. McCarthy said that Miss Greaney's brother denied this, and had assreted that neither he nor his sister had been offered Roa. He denied pom blank that the chairman had., point blank that the chairman had Pawa. The brother had been making a great noise and was saying that his sister was not fairly treated, and that she. was kept out of a position for some reason.

The Secretary said that there were several positions vacant and Miss Greaney had applied only for two.

Mr. McCarthy said that the chairman had promised her Runanga. J The Chairman: I did not. I did not see her until a short time ago.

The Secretary: She has received a permanent position to-night.

Mr. Penhalluriach >sS;ed whether there was not a .^aolution on the Board's books that teachers with training college certificates should get preference. About 1 8 months ago the' Board had agreed to give preference to those under their own Board.

Mr. . Ryall : We must comply with the Education Act. Mr. Penhalluriach cannot make an Education Act of his

own. Mr. Penhalluriach : We can amend

Mr. Noble said that he did not consider that Miss Greaney was any way equal to Mrs. Smeaton. He was for the experienced teacher eveiy time.

Ryall moved that the inspector's recommendation be endorsed.

This was seconded by Mr. Noble

Mr. Penhalluriach boved as an am endment that the name of Miss De laney only be sent.

This was seconded by Mr. McCar thy.

Mr. Ward moved as a further amendment that the name of Mr. Southward only be sent; Another male teacher was hardly wanted in the school. *A male teacher should receive preference, for with him it was his life work. A female teacher remained only till she got married. Mr. Penhalluriach aslced wnetner it

was not a fact that if an uncertificat-

Ed teacher was appointed to the position and Miss Delaney completed the six months' necessary. before she received her certificate she could not force the uncertificated teacher to give place to her.

Mr. Noble indignantly denied this suggestion^ An uncertificated teacher once appointed could not be ousted. No other teacher could have a claim on the position. The inspector had once made the ill-advisted statement that an uncertificated teacher could be ousted. This was not the case. It would not be fair. "What claim had Miss Delaney on it" because she has passed her D examination. Mr. Penhalluriach: It shows that she has brains.

Mr, Kettle asked whether Miss Delaney had a certificate!

The Chairman : She has passed the D examination but she is six monthss short oi % teaching experience. The inspector makes J.he recommendation.

M.r Penhalluriach: Then the Board may as well be wiped out. The fact that the inspectors make the appointment is not generally known, 3nd the Board is accused of red tape. The mater should be published.

, After further discussion Mr. Penhalluriach's amendment was lost on the voices, and the motion carried.