THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1890.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8375, 1 October 1890, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1890.

The motion brought forward by the chairman of the Board of Education at the last meeting of that body re payment of assistant teachers is a matter which lias caused much discussion. At iirst sight it would seem that the proposal, carefully thought out, as no doubt it has boen, and bearing apparently the stamp of fair dealing towards all in Board's employ, was just such a measure as the present growth of the educational system demanded. One would imagine that teachers holding the same, certificates should be in receipt of the same salary, that long service ought to ensure promotion, and that the advantages of living in towns would more than make up for the difference in pay between town and country. All this, it would seem, the chairman was careful to make the most of. Indeed, the lengthy and exhaustive statement read by Mr. Udy bears on the face of it much convincing proof not only that a change is needed but also that such a change would be best effected by the scale he has just elaborated. Facts, we know, are stubborn tilings, and Mr. Udy has certainly treated us to an interesting and varied assortment of these ; but, on the other hand, facts are misleading, and we venture to think that in the present instance it would be well to pause, and endeavour if possible to inquire more minutely into the merits of the motion than a mere glance at the surface could unable us to do. The primary object of the scheme is "to secure to assistant teachers a reasonable promotion according to their claims, in respect of classification, efficiency, and length of service." The classification of a teacher depends on two tilings : —lst. his attainments in learning, as proved by examination: and 2nd, the number of marks for actual teaching ability the inspectors from time to time may accord him. Now, as the inspectors are so few and the teachers so many it generally happens that to witness, in the case of the town schools, a single lesson given by each teacher in the course of twelve months, is as much as an inspector can do J whilst in the matter of country schools not even this small amount of time can be spared for the actual inspection of (caching. True, the inspector has the result of the year's work to guide him in making his report; but all who have had experience in examinations will readily understand that this is by no means always a satisfactory test. It follows therefore that efficiency in teaching and length of service are pretty much the same thing, as it requires a considerable number of reports, which means a considerable number of years, to lessen the figure after a teacher's letter, and so raise his status. The apparent object of Mr. Udy's proposal is to ensure promotion by merit ; but, as maybe seen by the foregoing, length of service alone will tell in a teacher's favour if the motion be adopted by the Board. That is, a teacher no matter what aptitude he may show, or how successful he may prove himself to be, will be compelled to wait many a weary year before ho can hope to sea his abilities recognised, or his services recompensed. This can have but one effect, and that will be to deter good men from entering the profession. And that such an arrange-' ment is manifestly unfair must be apparent to anyone who takes the troublo to think at all. Teaching in its fullest and widest sense, is a gift which few indeed possess. A special aptitude is required if one is to become a successful teacher, and this being so, it is quito plain that all engaged in the profession do not make equal progress in equal times. In fact, one teacher at the end of a few years may have arrived at a state of perfection which another beginning at the same time may never be able to reach. Does it not seem absurd, therefore, that those whose special qualifications fit them for becoming teachers should be compelled to wait for promotion until the wheel of timeslowly brings their length of service up to the necessary number of years. It is generally admitted that the present system of promotion is unsatisfactory ; but is the proposed alteration any improvement 1 It would be impossible to lay down a cast iron rule tor the payment of teachers engaged on the same work, because their ability to do the work is so different. And just as good workmen command a higher rate of pay than inferior ones, so tho skilled successful teacher is deserving of a more liberal salary than one whose work is not so good. It may be urged, in answer to this, that all teachers in the same grade should be able to accomplish the same work both as to quality and extent; but, unfortunately, 'such is not the case, indeed, many lowgraded teachers are now doing better work than those whose classifications rank higher. It is, in fact, simply a question of special aptitude for a special kind of work, and those possessed of this aptitude will naturally expect to see it recognised. As to the advantages of living in town balancing the smaller pay given to town teachers, it must be remembered that the two things are quite different. That, in fact, a teacher who can with great success manage a small or even medium-sized country school, may possibly be quite unable to cope with a large class in a city school. The management of large numbers of children is a matter of no small difficulty ; indeed, of the many who make the experiment, but few prove a success. And so it is that the number of those really suited for the control and teaching of the classes in the city schools is, » comparatively speaking, limited ; and, this being so, it seems hardly fair to bring salaries of town "osistauts down to starvation point.

Altogether Mr, Udy's scheme will not accomplish what it proves to do, and, judging from the brief discussion which took place at Friday's meeting, we imagine the members of the f o *:™ are not very favourably impressed with it. We trust, when it again cornea up for consideration, the points we have raised will be gone into, and the whole tiling thoroughly well examined betore any sweeping change is made in the present system of promotion.