A SCHOOL APPOINTMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15520, 30 January 1914, Page 4

A SCHOOL APPOINTMENT.

Sir, —The following is another instance of the unfortunate attitude of the Board of Education towards country schools. On Christmas Eve the secretary to the committee of one of the largest schools in the northern electorate received a letter to the effect that the present teacher was to bo removed, and submitting the name of one teacher to take his place, and requiring a reply within eight aavs. Of course, the Education Board and staff have a holiday at Christmas time, but the* country people are supposed to have, nothing to do, and do not require consideration any way. However, the committee replied in strong terms that they objected to tne appointment, and wanted more names to be submitted. This reply was ignored, until January 23, notwithstanding the urgency of the requisition for the committee's reply. On the above date, a curt telegram informs the committee that the appointment had been made. What is the good of the committee ? What purpose do they serve? Would it not be better to allow the staff of the board to run the whole thing, instead of the blame for bad appointments, the misconduct of country scnoola and the ruin of hundreds of children to be shouldered from one authority to another, until it rests, where it has no business,on the school committee? The country is always the sufferer. The people have not the influence to protect themselves and their -children, and the board do not appear to understand the position* Anyway, in an out-of-the-way place no importance would be attached to a protest from a school committee. We, however, know our requirements, and we know much better than tie inspectors, who are good teachers and who are not. Probably the committee will resign. . COMMITTSEIUK.