TASKS FOR TEACHERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18577, 8 December 1923, Page 12

TASKS FOR TEACHERS.

HEADMASTERS TO BE BUSY.

LONG LIST OF DUTIES.

AMENDED REGULATIONS.

fBT TJXMRAPH. —OWN COTJIESJ'ONDENT.] | WELLINGTON, Friday. Amendments of clauses 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the regulations under the Education Act have been put into force by Order-in-Council. Under the amended regulations the head teacher shall arrange for the classification of the pupils, with full discretion to arrange them in classes according to their ability and proficiency, and to group two or more classes in one subject. Promotion from one class to another may be made at any time, and in the preparatory division such promotion shall be made at least every half-year. Special attention shall be paid to the promotion of children with more than the average mental capacity. Retardation is to be the subject of careful consideration. An explanation of every case of unduly retarded progress by pupils must be made by the headmaster. The first assistant teachc*' is to bo given a definite share in' the management, of the school, and is empowered to deal with any urgent matter arising during the headmaster's teaching period. Schemes of work will be discussed by the headmaster with the whole of the staff, who shall be called on to* elaborate them. In this connection the inspector is charged with the duty of seeing that such schemes do not make greater demands ,on the pupils than the syllabus provides for; that accuracy in speech, arithmetic, and intelligence in reading are not neglected; that proper sequence is observed in matter and method, especially in such subjects as history, geography, nature study, and drawing; that needless overlapping is avoided; that drawing, handwork, and elementary science are closely related to other subjects, and that mere tabulation of pages and books shall give way before a general aim and method for each subject. The supervision of the playground and games and the care of School gardens are especially treated, as is also the instruction and professional training of pupil-teachers and probationers. The deveiojynent of the civic life of the school is to bo the headmaster s special care. A definite policy is to be laid down and the co-operation of the whole of tho staff secured. The headmaster must devote the major portion of 'his time to the actual work of teaching with the object of demonstrating approved methods of instruction and of removing weaknesses of class work as thev appear. Visits of parents must not be allowed to interfere with this duty. Ventilation, the size of desks, cleanliness of rooms, sanitation, and the care ot material and. apparatus are to be within his function. He must give special attention to physical culture and the teaching of swimming. Staff conferences will be held at least fortnightly and records kept of the deliberations and conclusions.