New Zealand Educational Institute.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XX, Issue 6140, 4 January 1895, Page 1

New Zealand Educational Institute.

(by telegraph.) Invercabgill, January 3. The proceedings of the New Zealand Educational Institute closed this afternoon. It was resolved that the University Senate be requested to re-enact the regulation of 1878, enabling D teachers to proceed to a B.A. degree without keeping terms ; the Minister of Education to be requested to give support to the establishment of a university college at Wellington, and that the University Senate be asked to formulate a scheme for examinations in psychology, logic, educational history, hygiene, and such other subjects as are deemed necessary, to be open to teachers of good standing, and a diploma to be given for passes. The question of a Court of Appeal for teachers was discussed, and the Executive are to be requested to continue their efforts in the direction of its establishment, Miss Wrigley's case in Auckland being cited as an instance of hardship. The Committee's report on the question of pensions was adopted. It recommends provision for compulsory insurance in future of all male teachers and all now under, say, 30 years in the service, A report bearing on the question of salaries was submitted and adopted. It recommended that a uniform scale of staff be adopted, the Otago and Southland Boards' scales being recommended as a model; that all schools and positions be classified on the basis of the average attendance, providing a uniform scale of salaries for the colony, and to secure a systematic method of promotion; that the minimum qualification be required from each class. It was resolved that the onus of enforcing the attendance of scholars be transferred from Committees to Boards. Re the training and examination of pupil teachers, it was decided that there should be a system uniform for the colony. A vote of L 5 was made to the Auckland branch towards the cost of resisting their Board's attempts to impose illegal charges and reductions on teachers. A proposal to purchase the New Zealand Schoolmaster for the official organ of the Institute was entrusted to the executive, who also were authorised to have the Institute registered as a corporate body. The revision of the constitution and standing orders was relegated to a committee for report at next meeting in Wanganui on the 7th January, 1896. Steps are to be taken to form a defence fund for the publication of a newspaper. The report of inspectors' examinations was condemned. Dr Chilton was accorded a vote of thanks for his services to the Institute and education. The officers for the year are H. Dempsey, president; W. T. Ciundy, secretary; T. S. Foster, treasurer ; 1). White, C. Watson, R. D. Stewart, executive. A vote of thanks was accorded to the Minister for Education, to the railway authorities for concessions to the local branch for aid, and to the President (W. _G. Mehaffey). The name of Mr W. H. Newton, the Auckland delegate, was omitted from the previous telegram as a visiting delegate. The delegates were entertained at a conversazione to-night.