TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18599, 29 December 1920, Page 6

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

CONFERENCE OF TEACHERS

[Per Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, December 28,

Tbo annual conference of the New Zealand Technical School Teachers’ Association was opened to-day in Wellington. Mr It. J. Thompson (president of the association and Ashburton delegate) occupied the chair. Other delegates present were:—Auckland, Dr Q’Shannassy and Mr T. Jones; New Plymouth. Mr A. L. Moore; Wanganui, Miss M. 13. Robertson and Mr L. Ohapple; Wellington, Messrs M. ItWilliams and Jii. L. Enting; Christchurch, Mr .13. G. Jones; Dunedin, Misses M. Wilson and C. Neale; Invercargill, Niiss M. Farquharson. The president spoke of the worldwide movement towards educational reform. Great men had recently arisen as reformers in other countries, and a splendid opportunity awaited in New Zealand the man who could look to the future and turn his back on the past. New conditions called for new systems,, and if education was to bfe made what it should be there would have to he great changes. There had been a tendency on the part of a great number of people to neglect the advantages of secondary education, yet the leadership of the country might in future be in the hands of a class that had chiefly neglected such education, and unless secondary schools’ work could be made to attract, these people and fit them for good leadership the country would suffer. Technical education had not yet receivod from the educational authorities of the Dominion the consideration it deserved. He hoped that during next year muen would be done to enlist the aid of commercial and industrial interests in furtherance of vocational education.

The sixth annual report stated that the membership of the association had in the last five years risen from 66 to 132. “The executive has much pleasure,” the report stated, “ in pointing to many improvements in the conditions of technical teachers which have taken place since last the delegates met in Wellington. The bugbear of capitation lias gone. An endeavour is now being made to pay teachers according to service and ability. Hours of work are being made uniform and reasonable, and salaries are partially adjusted to the increased cost of living. The hoarty thanks of the association are due to Mr Parr (Minister of Education) for his sympathetic consideration of the wishes of technical school teachers, and also to the Education Department for its endeavours to meet technical teachers.” Dr O’Sha.nnnssy expressed with some emphasis his view that technical school teachers had no particular cause to be grateful for the grading that the Department hod instituted. The fact was, lie said, that technical. teachers had merely got what was left over when the demands of primary and high school teachers had been met. It was pointed out to Dr OfShannassy that tiie report recorded merely that an endeavour had been made by tne Department to meet technical teachers. Dr O’Shannassy observed that his opinion was that the endeavour had not been verv successful. The meeting proceeded to omwider remits from various branches of the association. ' The following were adopt- • “ That this meeting forward to the Minister of Education the thanks of technical teachers for liis efforts towards removing the grievances of technical teachers, and express the hope that these efforts will be continued until salaries and conditions of service are to their satisfaction.” “ That senior free places be tenable at technical schools until the ago or nineteen, or such later date until the completion of the course of study as may be recommended by the director ot the school.” ' •*' That the Department make up the los3 in capitation caused, through compulsory closing of technical schools by the Health Department.” “ That the Railway Department be askod to deleto Section 16, Page 164, or the railway regulations, and issue aU tickets to technical students unaer Sections 13 and 14, Page 153.” “ That provision be made for adequate training in teaching methods for assistants in technical schools. “That the Department be asked to grant the cost of living bonus to permanent clerks and caretakers in. the employ of technical school authorities for the years 1919 and 1920.” “ That the Minister lie urged to introduce legislation enabling teaching staffs to be represented on Boards of Governors of technical schools.” “ That before the provision of Regulation 14 relating to the reduction of salaries be brought into operation the teacher concerned be- given the refusal of a position which will carry the salary received by him.” • 44 That, in any scale of starting lor technical high schools, one teacher be assigned to each practical class having an average attendance of fifteen, and one teacher to each theoretical class having an average - attendance of twenty.” , , , “ That the proposal by head masters in Wellington to urge the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute to consider the advisability of taking steps to merge the present institute into a union be endorsed by our association.” This remit was the subject of considerable discussion. It transpired that nearly all tlio delegates were in support of the remit as a step in the direction of strengthening their hands when making demands for improvements in their conditions. The only arguments brought against the proposal were that such a step would cause loss of dignity and would not be in accord with them professional status. These views, howover, did not* receive much supxxjrt. It was argued that the formation of a union would enable teachers to bring their case before the Arbitration Court if necessary. It was merely a logical extension and strengthening of the presen t organisation. In connection with Section 36 of tlm regulations governing the employment of technical school teachers, it was resolved that hours of school services to' 'be required from technical school teachers, except practical workshop instructors, should not exceed twenty-five per week, and thirty hours per week for practical workshop instructors, hours to be computed at the following rates: —Between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., ordinary time: between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., time and a half.

It was further resolved that school duties should include actual teaching time and also time devoted to sports, drill and other services required; that no teacher should he required to teach more than two evening classes per wcelc, and that where a teacher took an evening class his timetable should he so arranged that he would be free in the afternoon before the evening class or on the morning following.