EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 36, 13 February 1894, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

Aa to the classification of teachers, with a Sfff * ST^i?' s ? laHes » *<> appreciate the enect that this change would produce it is necessary to examine the principle on which salaries are at present based. They are in the main based on the very worst form of payment by results j not the educational results produced by the teachers, bS the average attendance of pupils. The tether may work never so haro, earnestly, and well but hfs services are no better rewarded, as a consequence ; bufc let the number of pupS inowaM iv.tlnut any effort ou the parK the taoher then up goes hia aa'arj, tveu though his work may be but indiffflreotly performed. Is is nnueoEßeary to argue that such a method of regulating naiades is abstud and unfair. Itj absurdity and unfair-. mus mut bo manifeat to the meanest miod. But wh t is the result produoed ig coantry district,? It ia this: A3 tho salaries aro best in the largpsfc Bohools, there-!* anata.al teuuenoy on the t att ot teab'hera of eL perieoce and approved oapaoityHo^ravita c to tae cities and toH-n., or to the suburbs of Qitu*. Thus, forexmpl., the position of a second asMs'ant ia Dunedio, or of a first nasbtaot in Oam ru. or of any of thfl suburbs of Dtinedir, is bettar paid than that of head-master at Kurow or Nrapara; while there are four assistants -that w, practically sixth teachers-in Dunedin schools in receipt of better salaries those paid to teachers having the sole care and responsibility of scores of cotmtrv schools. The work is, too, lighter in the larger schools ; and it is not surprising, therefore to find teachers in country dis' tncts availing themselves of the earliest opportunities offering to exchange head. masterships for subordinate positions in cities and towns. Thus we have a reversal of what should be the order of procedure. Instead of tho subordinate positions in city, town, and suburban schools being preDara' tory steps to the direction and care of ojui try schools, by affording nuahs of a knowledge of school m«najem^t, the conntry Bohool t aoher^hips are. mainly filUd by inexperienced te where, who, after acquiting knowledge of eohoolnmnag3me..t,gra»U tato to the larger schools in Bub.rdinat* positions whero that valuable knowledge ia not rt quired and is praotioally l O 3t. vV.ta a proper system of olasaifloation of t aihera this aaomi y would be removed, and inducements would be offered to teaahen of expsrirncefe) tako ohnrge of couutcy sohoolc, and undergo a pnotioal preparation for higher responsibilities -Oamaru Mad