GRADING OF TEACHERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16214, 27 April 1916, Page 9

GRADING OF TEACHERS.

o THE NATIONAL SCHEME, STATEMENT BY MINISTER. A deputation*, representing tho First Assistant Schoolmasters' Association, and introduced by Mr. C. H. Poole, M.P. for Auckland West, waited on the Minister for Education, the Hon. .7. A. Hanan, yesterday, regarding the Dominion grading scheme- for teachers. The members of the deputation intimated that while they were not antagonistic towards the .establishment of a grading scheme, they desired to know how it would affect them. It was pointed out that they had had a scheme of their own for some years, ■which at first was not satisfactory, but which was now generally acceptable to • them. Their chief desiro was that lists should be published for each district until a uniform standard was reached- They felt that if this wore not done the teachers would be likely to suffer. In reply, the Minister pointed out that the whole scheme was being placed before the Teachers' Conference now sitting in Wellington, and the various points therein would be explained. Mr. Hanan stated emphatically that it was his intention to introduce a scheme in accordance with the Act. Ho said it could not bo expected that any scheme introduced would bo wholly satisfactory at tho outset. Improvements would 'take place with experience. VIEWS OP TEACHERS. LOCAL MISUNDERSTANDING. "The Dominion grading schemo has been received by Auckland teachers with mixed feelings," remarked an Auckland delegate it the conference of tho Educational Institute in Wellington a few days ago. ' At present/ a very satisfactory grading u;d promotion scheme is in operation in •>ur district, and teachers generally feel hat whilo they may ultimately have much ;o gain by the introduction of tho Doninion scheme, they are well off at present. At tho same time, they are, on ■ho whole, quite prepared in the national ntercst to loyally support tho Dominion :cbemo. Tho opposition to its early inroduction was caused by the fear that a :ommon standard of appraisement of the eachers in each education district would >o impossible until inspectors had an >pportunity of obtaining experience in lifferent education districts. Mr. Caughoy's explanation of tho scheme has, I hink, dispelled the doubt of teachers hat the interests of all havo been careully conserved."