TRAVEL FOR TEACHERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20720, 13 November 1930, Page 14

TRAVEL FOR TEACHERS.

Sir, —May I beg space to call attention to the announcement by the Auckland Educution Board that they have decided not to grant leave of absence to teachers desirous of visiting Europe unless they have occupied their positiona for two years. All other educational authorities endeavour to encourage their staffs to travel abroad, knowing what a very great advantage the wider knowledge and changed outlook consequent on travel is to both teachers and taught. Members of the board can surely not have come into contact with teachers who have travelled abroad, or they would be discussing'ways and means of sending alt their brethren to do likewise, instead of preventing them. If members realised the changed outlook and keener, better knowledge, about such important subjects as. citizenship, Empira loyalty, history and geography, that one travelled teacher imparts to a whole staff, and therefore to all the pupils, of a school, they would surely reconsider such a very limited outlook. We all admit that there are things far more important to children than the three K's, and it is of those important things that travel gives the teacher a first hand, arid therefore an interesting, knowledge. Perhaps in the interests of the kiddies, if not of the teachers, the board will reconsider this decision, or give a sympathetic hearing to such a case, as all thoughtful teachers (and perhaps the institute?) must surely lay before them. Wellwisher.