EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 26 April 1918, Page 4

EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

DISCUSSED BY TARANAKI EDTJCA TION BOARD ' "'

At the meeting of the Taranaki Education Board on Wednesday (reports the laranak; Herald), circulars were received from the Teachers' Institute asking the Beard to support its endeavors to obtain: Better buildings, both primary and technical (and larger playgrounds); more inspectors; medical inspection; free dental treatment for school children; compulsory continuation classes; additional, staffing to give smaller classes; belter remuneration for pupil, teachers, probationers, and training college students. *

The chairman of the Board. (Mr R Masters) said the Institute was initiatl. ing a forward move in the interests of New Zealand, and if the Board could cooperate with the Instituce in obtaining the desired improvements then it should do so. Improvements had been made during the past few years, but further improvements were necessary. Hethought the Board would agree that, the* classes were far too large for the number of teachers. The average pupils per teacher was £2.2, or 16 above the average for the whole of the Dominion. Th© teachers here certainly had ground for complaint, for under such conditions it was impossible for them to do justice to their positions. Thfe system of medical inspection of children now in vogue had brought about an immense amount ot good, but it seemed to him to stop just where it should start. Any weakness which the teachers saw were reported to the medical officer, and if the medical officer found tho position as notified by the teacher, a notice was sent to the parents. While many parents took notice of what the medical officer said, many did not and many could not. The Department, said the chairnian. did not go far enough; it should, where recessary, force children to h e medically attended He quite admitted that a lot of good.wag done by physical instruction as a result of the j medical inspection. Another matter J was the demand for increased playground. With respect to the need for an increased number of inspectors, the chairman instanced th Q conditions under which the inspectors had to work before the adjustment of the districts Now, m spite of the increased Taranaki district, the number of inspectors was ."the same. It was most unjust to ask the inspectors to go on under such conditions. In conclusion, the chairman said he agreed with the principle of free dental treatment for those children whose parents were not able to pay. The Education Board should assist the Teachers' Institute to fry to improve the educational facilities of the Domin ion. He moved: That while the Board recognises the reforms that have been: effected in recent years, and notwithstanding the difficulties presented bywar conditions, and in view of the importance of educational reform and progress, the Education Boards he asked to co-operate with th e Taranaki Education institute m urgent representations being made to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Education as to the' necessity of making provision without delay for the im provement and extension of the educational system of the Dominion. ! Mf C! A. Wilkinson, M.P., in,seconding the motion, said he felt that the , educational system of the Dominion was tailing behind the times; it should [be progressive and go-ahead. The Department advanced the excuse that it was short of money. He was quite sure, however, that the members of Parliament would vote any money necessary for carrying on education, and for putting up good buildings and paying better salaries so that the classes could be tuttS m a satisfactory manner. Mr E Dixon said the time had come when the Government had got to consider very seriously the payment of male teachers m the profession. It was a. common thing for splendid men entering the teaching profession to leave af ter a few years and take up law or some other profession. There was an. increasing number of lady teachers and less men. The very best brains of the country were wanted for the teaching

| lhe chairman agreed with Mr Dixon, and added that owing to the meagre sari j ary offered boys were not looking to the j teaching profession. In 1916, out of 4L pupil teachers, six were males; in 1917 ' out of 44 pupil teachers, four wero males:' and in 1918, out of 48 pupil teachers!' ■ there wer e two males, one of whom r<£ i tused the appointment. Future teachers. i would all be females unless higher salaries were granted. At present a probationer got £30 for the first year and £35 tor the second. A pupil teacher got £35 a fer fi/ sfc •e ar > £ *45 for the lecond, 1 and £55 for the third year. Yet other .departments were offering boys £78 for the first year. V c¥u r S' **« m^to also spoke in support ot the motion, which was carried unanimously. '