TEACHER SHUT OUT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20570, 22 May 1930, Page 13

TEACHER SHUT OUT.

refused entry to schools

CASE IN NORTH AUCKLAND.

" HIGH-HANDED ACTION."

"A teacher who can he a servant as veil is evidently wanted 111 this case," said Mr. 'A. Burns, chairman of tho Auckland Education Board, yesterday, when a report was received from tho advisory inspector, Mr. T. A. I'inch, regarding the action of a parent in (losing a school against a teacher. It was stated the school was a*, aided one with a roll of six children, situr.tcd in North Auckland.

Mr. Finch said (lie main North road was to pass right through (he old school building and its removal was necessary. The board gave permission to a resident to move the school fo his property. This bad been done and it now stood on his property and four of his children and two others bad been attending. "When I visited tho. school the door was fastened so that. I could not gain admission," stated I Mi'- I'ihi'li. 'ilia building is in a far'r slate of repair. I was informed by the wife of I lie resident concerned that her children had no intention of attending while the present teacher was in charge. "The teacher stated that slio was expected to do household duties and on occasions to milk the cows. When school work interfered with household dutie3 she was expected to give up school duties. The resident concerned had told her not to go back to the school or sho would be prosecuted for trespass. "The teacher is now living with another resident and teaching his children.She cannot enter the school or the school property and the other children are receiving no schooling. Immediately, after she left, there appeared an advertisement in Auckland papers as follows: 'Urgent. North Auckland. Wanted teacher country household school, four children; help with household duties; 25s and keep.'

"It is quite evident these people want a teacher and a servant combined," said Mr. Finch. "If allowed to make their own arrangements they will have trouble again." He recommended that future applications for appointment should bo refused except under conditions as laid down by the board, and that the resident concerned should be prevented from again closing the school or keeping his children from attending. "This is a very high-liaiioed action, '5 said Mr. Burns.

Mr. E. C. Banks questioned whether the board bad any standing in tho matter, as the school was on private

ground. It was decided to obtain an explanation from the resident before proceeding further.