A WEAKNESS IN OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 August 1924, Page 4

A WEAKNESS IN OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

Several parents have asked why it is that there are so many and frequent changes in the staffs of the schools. A correspondent draws our attention to the changes which' affect the Hawera Technical School, where the science class is having its third change m masters this year. Frequent changes are obviously detrimental to the progress of the children and to the schools, and in the case of secondary schools they are even more serious than in the primary schools. The changes are due, it appears, to the grading system. Vacancies are published in the Gazette, and a headmaster i« bound by regulation to bring these Gazettes under the notice of each member of his staff, and to have the Gazettes initialled as proof that the contents have been noted. The result is that teachers who have the necessary grading qualifications and who have no objection to moving from place to place apply for and secure new positions. A teacher may be appointed to a position and may immediately apply for another position. We had a conversation with Mr. R. S. Sage (chairman of the Hawera Technical High School Board), who said that the position was one that was causing headmasters and those who make appointments much trouble. He pointed out that j a conference of Technical High Schools had requested that a change be made in the present system, so that teachers must remain in their new appointments until the end of the school year, but nothing had been done in this direction. He gave instances of successful applicants refusing to accept their appointments, one teacher refusing on the ground that it would cost- him too. much to. remove to Hawera! We think it is time that some new system was put into operation so as to provide for more stability. Some teachers remain in their positions for years, but- the number of teachers of a roving disposition is so great that the frequent changes are proving very disconcerting to headmasters and are obviously not in the interests of pupils. It is natural that teachers should try to secure positions in the- larger centre*, but we think that some regulation should be put into force making it incumbent upon a teacher who accepts a new position to remain for a fixed period, and we hope that the Minister will have the alteration made as soon as possible, for children cannot make their best progress if they are to be placed under new teachers every few weeks, and the welfare and advancement of the pupil should surely be the first consideration of the department.