THE TEACHER QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13766, 3 June 1908, Page 6

THE TEACHER QUESTION.

It is much to be regretted that when discussions upon public questions become heated there is a tendency for disputants to lose their tempers, and to say what had better be left unsaid. In the argument between those who, like the chairman of the City Schools Committee, claim that the position of the teachers is shown by statistics to be quite unsatisfactory, and those who, like the chief inspector, are inclined to minimise the difficulties of the situation, there should be no necessity for any discourteous or irrelevant statements. For, after all, what is universally desired is that the best should be done in the way of education with the means at our command, and that the educational staff should be as meritorious and as satisfied as possible. Our opinion is' that, as we have heretofore stated, the educational staff is still conscious of labouring under » some very real grievances, particularly those connected with promotion, and with the comparative uncertainty attaching to the service, as compared with other public services. And we do not think there can be the slightest doubt that during recent years the. educational service has fallen into comparative disfavour, and that it will take .a ■ considerable time to overcome the permanent weaknesses thus imposed upon it. That the number and proportion of certiiicated teachers under the Department were less in 1906 than- in 1903, is only what would be expected by those acquainted with the condition of the service and with the feeling of young men towards this noblest of professions. And we would urge all who have authority and influence to avoid disputations which can lead to nothing, .and to unite cordially for the removal of every unnecessary impediment to the contentment and satisfaction of the educational staff. For unless the teachers are satisfied the service can neither .be worked to its full efficiency nor recruited in the best manner.