EDUCATION BILL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 10 March 1933, Page 7

EDUCATION BILL

SEVERAL AMENDMENTS (From “The Mail’s” Parliamentary Reporter). WELLINGTON, 9th March. Amendments to the Education Amendment Bill were introduced in the House of Representatives this morning by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes). One alteration re-enacts the existing law for the purpose of checking too frequent changes in the staffing of schools. At present teachers apply for another position before 31st December, and the letter of appointment is withheld until January, which is not considered to lie a desirable practice. By laying it down Unit applications are to be made after 31st December, all doubt is removed and uniformity of interpretation is secured.

Another amendment permits hoards without the approval of the senior inspector to refuse to appoint female married teachers where the prescribed term of service has been completed. The Prime Minister pointed out that it was not a question of the teacher’s qualifications or fitness, hut of the fact concerning her financial position, which tho board could decide.

Through a misunderstanding the Bill contained a clause empowering school committees to suspend teachers for neglect of duty, but the clause is to be amended to confine the suspension to cases of immoral conduct or gross misbehaviour.

The provision for the compulsory enrolment in special classes of subnormal children has been modified to provide for special prior examination by a school medical officer—an alteration made at the instance of the Minister of Health.