TEACHERS’ APPOINTMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXI, Issue 13370, 24 February 1904, Page 8

TEACHERS’ APPOINTMENTS.

TO THE EDITOR - Sir,—ln reading my letter signed “Hard Work ” in your paper this morning I seem to have made out that a teacher who is an utter failure, may get a- top billet, Ido not think that, although I think a. weak one may, and I do not- wish to make things out worse than they are ; neither do I think for a moment that the lady who has been

discussed in your paper is anything but a very good teacher. It is only that the hiethocls of promotion now seem to me to he very bad.—-I am, etc., HARD WORK. TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —It is a. real pleasure to read ai reasonable, common-sense letter like that written by “Hard Work” in Monday’s issue of the “ Lyttelton Times,” and one cannot but wish that all those who earnestly desire reform in the method's of teachers’ appointments would be as moderate and as sensible as she is. A letter like hers must have its effect on the minds of the reading public. She has pointed out that a. change in the method of appointment is 'needed, and I think her remarks deserve consideration from all teachers who desire a change. As she has pointed out, it is of no uso for teachers in other schools to apply for a vacancy in any school where there is a junior to he promoted. It is the same on both sides, whether for male or female teachers. If a vacancy occurs in a city school the most suitable teacher in the service should be promoted: to it, even if he has been in the- country all his life. That is why I object to the'city positions being advertised. It is only a farce. It would be satisfactory to everybody concerned if ai list of teachers, in their order of ability and service, was made up ami used in all promotions. This would be a basis for the making of promotions, and would do away with the favouritism and jobbery now existing. In all the important Government institutions there is a system of some sort, whether in the Postal Department, the Telegraph, the Railways, the Customs or the Survey ; but in our profession there is no system: whatever, and that is why the teachers arc thoroughly dissatisfied with the Board’s methods. It is to be hoped that others of your correspondents having the good of the profession at heart, and desiring to see the promotions given to the most deserving, will take, a hint from “ Hard Work's ” methods of writing and deaj. with, the important question of the needed reform with the calmness and fairin indtedness she haw herself exhibited.—l am, etc., HIGHLY GRATIFIED.