SMALLER CLASSES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 244, 12 September 1933, Page 9

SMALLER CLASSES

TO CREATE WORK FOR TEACHERS RATIONING POLICY CRITICISED. The practice of the Education Department, through the education boards, of appointing probationary teachers tor a single term only, and tho policy of | rationing junior teachers generally was criticised at a meeting of the College Street School Committee, last evenI ing, when it was decided to ask the I Combined School Committees’ Association to approach the Government and | press that classes be reduced to not | move than 40 pupils each as a means of alleviating unemployment among teachers.

The policy of the Education Department in appointing probationary teachers for a single term was considered by Mr H. F. A. Wollerman to be delporablc, the speaker stating that it was a handicap to the school, and the pupils. The chairman (Colonel J. H. Whyte) Eointed out that the position had been rought about by so many teachers having passed through the Training College m recent years, and tho Government bad introduced the system as a means of assisting the teachers involved. They should all be " given a chance. Howevei), the frequency of moves, particularly in the junior division, was quite distressing, and there was an urgent need for revision. Mr Wollerman thought that some different system could bo introduced to permit of the appointee staying at least two terms. He considered that some system should be devised whereby the pupils would not be compelled to suffer through the constant moving on of the younger teachers. All ot them had different ways of teaching, and tiro effect was most detrimental to the interests of the children. Mr C. L. Turnbull said the question had been discussed in New Plymouth, and the suggestion had been made there for the reduction of the size of classes. This would have the effect of giving the teachers more work. Mr W. F. Cutler said that all the teachers passing through the college were trained in tlie same system. Mr W. A. Swinbourn, tlie headmaster, was of tlie opinion that the position had been more acute this year at College Street owing to one of the permanent teachers having accepted another appointment.

Mr Cutler considered that if classes were restricted to a maximum of 40 tho position would be alleviated. No teacher could do justice to a class ol 60, for the teacher could not give the necessary, attention to the backward child.

The chairman stated that while there were disabilities in town schools the position was all the more marked where a country sole teacher, with all the classes grouped in the one room, was concerned. Mr Turnbull considered that “half a loaf would be better than no bread” and the majority of the teachers would prefer to be in constant work at a lower wage. Mr Swinbourn agreed, pointing out that they would be keeping themselves in training. Mr Cutler asked what percentage of married women were employed by the Education Board and how it affected the position. Mr Swinbourn replied that tlie board had tlie power to dismiss married women teachers and had done so in certain instances, those remaining having been retained on account ot special circumstances. Tlie chairman suggested that they might place a motion oil the subject before tlie Combined School Committees’ Association, whereupon, on the motion of Mr Cutler, it was decided that the association be asked to take up the matter, as already stated.