SECONDARY SCHOOLS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8129, 24 May 1912, Page 2

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CONFERENCE OF TEACHERS QUESTION' OF SUPERANNUATION. Tho annual conference of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Assistants’ Association was held at Wellington College . esterday. Air R. -M. Luiiig (Boys’ High School, Christchurch) presided., and the lolegates present were: —-Auckland, ■iessrs F. AV. Gamble and D. AVatt; Napier, Messrs W. Kerr and Fraser; Palmerston North, Mr F. Foote; Timur a, Air It. 11. Rockel; Wellington, Alessrs A. C. Gifford, 13. (Javadus, At. 11. Dixon, D. Alath.eoon, Atillard, W. Alexander, 11. B. Tomlinson, H. 11. Smithson, A. Heine, T. Brodie. and F. Af. Renner. Tho chairman reported that at the last meeting of the Headmasters' Association, the question of matriculation science had been discussed, and it was suggested 1 that this should be brought into line with tho junior scholarship examination. Ho also road a circular sent out with a view to modernising chemistry, physics and kindred subjects. Tho report stated that since the last annual meeting, membership had increased from fed to IXB, including the teachers of nearly all the larger secondary schools. In accordance with a resolution at tho last mooting re salaries of secondary teachers and tho size of classes in their schools, tho executive had obtained Information concerning years of experience, amount of salary, average classes laught, and time given to work outside school hours. In view of tho unsatisfactory conditions obtaining in many schools tho executive recommended that further action be taken. AVith regard to the suggested deputation to the Aliuister to urge that the Superannuation Act be amended so as to allow the benefits received by teachers to bo computed ou tho highest average salary for three consecutive years, instead of on the last three years of service, the executive regretted that the deputation could not be arranged. It seemed desirable, however, that the subject should be reopened, and tho claims of teachers pushed forward as vigorously as possible. Attention was called to a flaw in tho Court of Appeal Act, and the Inspector-General of Schools had promised to remedy the defect. The balance-sheet showed a credit of JC3I 9s 7d. Tho report ' and balance-sheet were adopted.

00-OPIiRATION. On tho motion of Air Mathe-son, seconded by Air Rockel, it was decided that the executive of the Secondary Schools Association bo requested to confer with the executive of tho New Zealand Teachers' Institute with regard to co-operation between tho two bodice. Some debate took place on tho question of affiliation, which was originally suggested, but members did not favour the merging of the association in the institute and consequent loss of independence. SUPERANNUATION. It was decided, on. the motion of Mr Renner, seconded by Mr ' Kerr, that arrangements lx> made to enable a university student to count his years of training at a university college us years of service towards superannuation. so as to permit male teachers itt secondary schools to retire on completing thirty-five years’ service, if they so wished. CLASSES OF TWENTY-FIVE. It was resolved: '‘That the Government bo urged to make a regulation to the effect that secondary school classes shall not contain more than twenty-five,-and grant such capitation as will enable boards to pay salaries on a scale not lower than hitherto.'’' SENIOR CADETS,

A subcommittee appointed to deal with the question recommended as follow: (1) "That tho senior cadets of high schools and colleges should be on a different footing from that of senior cadets, as the conditions are different; (2) that headmasters should consult with the Defence •Department re formulating a scheme in reference to 1 training, shooting, and camps; (3) that half-day parades should, if retained, bo held on school days, but wo are of tho opinion that all drills should be held during school hours, as is already the case in some schools; (4) that there is a crying need for an adequate number of instructors: (5) that table B (Musketry Regulations) is far too in volved and complicated to be carried out.” 'The recommendations were adopted. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS. A paper suggesting various improvements in the work of secondary schools was read by Mr Kerr, and was discussed at some length. Another on “Hygienic Physiology” was read by Mr F. M. Reiner, and after discussion the following motion was passed:—"That this association considers it highly desirable that the State should appoint competent instructors for all secondary schools and give such instruction in certain branches of hygienic physiology as Will safeguard tho children and help to develop the best type of citizen.” DAYLIGHT SAYING. . A resolution in support of the Daylight Saving Bill was also passed. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers for tho ensuing year were elected as follow Executive committee— President, Mr A. Heine, Wellington; vicepresident, Miss Alexander. Dunedin; secretary and treasurer, Mr F.' Jlartyn Kenner, Wellington; auditor, Mr E. Caradus, Wellington; additional executive members, Messrs R. H. Rockel, I’. Brodie, A. C. Gifford (Wellington), and J. Drummond (Auckland). . The next conference will be held at Wellington in September, 1913.