RETIRED TEACHER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21426, 25 February 1933, Page 8

RETIRED TEACHER

OPENING A PRIVATE SCHOOL RIGHTS QUESTIONED OFFICIAL RULING DESIRED The right of a school teacher who has retired on superannuation to open a private school, which it was considered would come into competition with State schools, was discussed at the meeting of the Wellington Education Board this week. A ruling from the Education Department is to be sought.

An infant school mistress has recently retired on superannuation from a suburban school and is opening a private preparatory school in an adjoining district. Information was given to the department that the school was being opened in the vicinity of the State school at Kilbirnie, the committee of which feared that such a step would affect the attendance at that school, as it was proposed to take children up to standard 11. at tho private school

The department replied that the Education Act provided for the establishment of private schools, but there wa« nothing in the Act or regulations to prevent- a superannuated teacher opening a private school and canvassing for pupils. Provision was made for the registration and inspection of private schools. An application had heen received on February 21 for the registration of the private school. Mr. J. J. Clark proposed that the board should write to the department for a

ruling. . Mr. T. W. McDonald urged that teachers who retired on superannuation had paid for everything they received, and the position with regard to the superannuation fund was the fault of the Government.

Mr. C. H. Nicholls said he considered that public attention should be given to the matter in the interests of parents and children. It had been said that the teacher in question loved the children and the profession, but in his opinion thero was a love of £ 8. d. as well. He believed the people of Hataitai would see the school would compete with the State schools and would not send their children to it.

Mr. G. C. Meyer said he regarded Mir. Clark's proposal as interference with the liberty of the subject. If the suggestion were agreed to, it would debar anyone from opening a private school. - The chairman, Mr. T. Forsyth, said it had not been proved that the State school in the vicinity would be affected at all, for the teacher in question was laying herself out to take children mainly of kindergarten age. The chairman proceeded to refer to Government officials who had received a salary running into four figures, had retired on superannuation, amounting to nearly four figures, and had then been given an appointment in an advisory capacity at a substantial fee.

Voices: Very wrong The chairman added that the teacher was not now in the employ of the board and they had no power over her. Because she was an outstanding teacher, this subject had been raised. - Mr. Clark: No. That is wrong. I am raising a principle. „ It was f decided to ask' the department for. a ruling. ' • . , -