SCHOOL SPORTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11660, 26 October 1923, Page 9

SCHOOL SPORTS

INTEREST BY TEACHERS, ATTITUDE! DF DEPARTMENT. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH. October 2c. Whether the time devoted by school teachers to the fostering and developing of school games was recognised by the Education Department was the reason for a meeting to-day between Mr J. Caugliley, Director of Education, and a representative gathering of teachers. Various speakers said there was a feeling amongst teachers that, the work of teachers towards school sports was not being recognised bv the department inspectors, whose visits were not extended to school games. As far as they knew, the inspectors did not make any effort to discover what individual teachers did towards tho cultivation of school sport. This work had a great, deal of interest on children and it should be recognised. 1 RECOGNITION BY DEPARTMENT. In the course of his reply Air Caughley said the department was anxious to facilitate matters in every way. Since tho discussion concerning teachers and school games had arisen he had met throe group* of inspectors, who said in their grading they always consulted tho report of tho physical inspector, und in addition headmasters wore questioned na to L'h© respective efforts of teachers in the promotion of school games. One group of inspectors showed reports in which a teacher often had been mentioned for his or her good work in connection with tlie fostering of school sports. A FLAT DENIAL. Ho flatly contradicted the idea abroad that this work by teachers waa not recognised by the department. The annual sports at Lancaster Park were quoted as a case of enthusiasm of the Canterbury teachers when there was no question of any personal monetary gain. To make doubly sure and to sot the minds of those- present at rest, Mr Caughlev said a. circular would be sent to the inspectors instructing them to make the fullest inquiry into the amount iof work devoted by teachers to games. At tho same time he impressed upon his hearers that this was now being done by inspectors in the matter of grading ami really at all times.