FAIR PLAY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIV, Issue 144, 7 July 1888, Page 2

FAIR PLAY.

A case occurred the other day at the meeting of the Education Board which gave us an opportunity of pursuing a certain line which, as it appears to be something of an innovation here, we take this opportunity of explaining. A letter was received from a country School Committee complaining that the attendance of scholars ' was'falling off, and tracing the decrease to the teacher. The Board dealt with the case m the proper manner. It decided to forward a copy of the letter to the teacher* and ask him to make any explanation he might deem advisable. 1 In reporting this we suppressed names. The position of a schoolmaster is at best an exceedingly • difficult one, and he stands m more danger than ordinary individuals do of falling foul of those on whose goodwill his. bread and butter depends. And it happens often' that, entirely through , disagreement, (perhaps between the teacher and one individual) the master gets into hot water. Is it fair that his name should immediately be trumpeted forth to the world, and his chances of other employment m the district prejudiced, when he has not been found guilty of incompetency or of any sins of omission or commission? These are the reasons that weigh with us, and we wish it to be distinctly understood that ' when the character, reputation, and prospects "of teachers are at stake, we shall not publish details. «We should be glad to see the Board consider these matters m committee. ■ The press representatives could then remain m the room, but they would be precluded from publishing details. However this may be, we shall strictly adhere to the practice of withholding particulars the publication of which could have no effect beyond possibly gratifying personal spite, and certainly injuring teachers who, from the fact of their having already top many masters, and from the nature of their calling, are entitled to special consideration as far as . the press is concerned. Of course these remarks do not bear specially oh the case • referred ,to, because we know nothing whateverlof the parties or of the dispute.