TEACHERS’ PROTESTS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 19 November 1927, Page 6

TEACHERS’ PROTESTS

INFLICTION OF FINES OBJECTED TO. (BY TELEGRAPH— press association.) DUNEDIN, Nov. 18. The executive of the Otago Educational Institute, at a meeting to-day, voiced on behalf of the teachers a strong protest against the proposed Education Amendment Act, by which power is conferred an the Minister oi indicting hues up to £lO an teachers for breaches of the regulations, the executive felt that the measure was an unmerited slur on the whole teaching profession. Moreover, the education authorities already had ample powers of discipline through t the grading list and in other ways, and had been using these powers in the past. It was decided to telegraph the Otago members of Parliament with a view to having the clause deleted. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. IS. Members of the Canterbury Education Board at a meeting to-day expressed doubts as to the wisdom of the proposed amendment to the Education Act empowering Education Boards to inflict fines qii teachers. Mr. E'. 11. Andrews said some provision such as this was necessary, it was no reflection on the teaching profession a.s m whole. There were teachers, however, particularly in the country, guilty of neglect of duty. He thought degrading would he better than fining. Mr. R. Wiid moved that the board disagree with the clause. They had [lower to discipline teachers now and. if neglect of duty were gross and continued, they had power to dismiss them. He knew of no fining system in private business. A Member: They sack their employees straight out. The motion was carried.