OTAGO EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16982, 19 April 1917, Page 2

OTAGO EDUCATION BOARD.

'CTio monthly meeting of the Otago Education lk>ard, hold yesterday, was attended by Messrs D. T. Fleming (chairman;, I). Boriio, W. R. Brugh, J. Wallace. 11. H. Todd, J. H. Wilkinson, P. M'Kinlay, and J. Horn. wonKS. An application for a subsidy of £6 2s 3d, half cost of asjihalting a.t Tokomairiro, was granted. The architect was instructed to report on applications foe repairs at Waiwora, Tuapeka West, Ngapuua, and W.iikoikoi. Applications for now blinds and sash fasteners at 'Miller's Flat, for renovation of residence at Mount Cargill, for provision of water fountains at the Normal School, for renewal of a fonco at teacher's residence at Balclutha, and for repairs at Bannockburn wero granted. The board approved of the architect's recommendation to defer consideration of supplying all Duncdiu and suburban schools with bubbling fountains, as tho appliances on the market are imperfect at present, and experiments are being mado to improve, them. , NEW SCHOOL ASKED FOR. A petition was received from Mr William B. M'Kegg and 22 other residents of the Papatowai district, asking for the establishment of a school in their midst. There wero 27 children of school age, and 20 under • school ago within reach of the proposed new school. The Tahakopa School was 5£ miles distant from tho site of the proposed school. Twenty of tho children from the Tahokopa district wero attending the Papatowai School, and seven wero attending tho school at Maclennan. Tho Tahakopa School roll was 41. Mr M'Kegg offered to assist with timber and carting. Xhe secretary of tho board said it was a case of asking for a school to be shifted back to its old site.—The matter was deferred till next meeting to enable further inquiries to bo mado. KEDUCING SCHOOL STAFFS. The Chairman explained the regulations adopted last August, tightening up tho conditions governing the reduction oi school staffs consequent upon a decrease in average attendance. -The regulations had the dual object of reducing expenditure and of meeting the difficulty created by tho shortage of teachers 'by allotting more work to those remaining. It seemed to him that in one teacher schools the new regulations would very seriously handicap teachers. In Brighton, for instance, hitherto there had been two teachers carrying on with about 30 children, and now that tho attendance went up to 36 one teacher would have to do all tho work. It could not bo done. He thought in this particular case the board would bo wise to continue the existing arrangements. The Secretary said he did riot think there was the slightest chance of Brighton regaining its two teachers before the end of the year.

The operations of these amended regulations will necessitate the withdrawal at the end nf June of assistant teachers now employed at Strath/ Taieri, Stirring, Maungatua, Brighton, and Coal Creek. Tho first two of theso schools have now three teachers. The ethers have each two teachers, and will accordingly have to bo taught for tho remainder of the year by a solo teacher..

In compliance with the department's requirements it was, decided to give threo months' notice of termination of appointment to the following:—Miss Margaret Blackm. first assistant and acting head

teacher. Coal Creek; Miss M. G. R. Bonnin, first assistant, Maungatua; Miss G. I. Taylor, second assistant. Stirling; Miss V. C. Sinclair, first assistant, Brighton.

With referenco to Brighton and Coal Creek, on the motion of Mr Wallace it was decided to make inquiries as to tho reason of the decreased attendance, and if a good case could be made out. tho chairman was empowered to mako representations to tho department to have the existing conditions continued.

It was decided to continue Miss O. A. Blaikie as pupil teacher lit Strath Taieri School, her salary to bo paid by tho board. It was decided to call for, applications for the position of second 'assistant at the Weston School, where another assistant has become necessary owing to increased averago attendance. GENERAL. The Education Department intimated that Mr T. R. Fleming had been appointed senior inspector for the Otago district, and would probably take up his duties early in May, arid that tho services of Inspector Hendry were to be retained until about May 20.

The board acceded to the request of the Educational Institute to send to school committees the usual circular inviting them to close their schools for mid-winter vacation durinc Winter Show week, beginning on May 28. Messrs Skene and Fleming intimated the following result of tho school pansy competition:—Benhar, 96 points, 1; Kia Ora, 95 DPints, 2.

The board consented to the rcqwst of the National Apple Show Committee, to allow arrangement , "- to be made for pupils to visit the show free of charge at certain hours, and to write essays limited to 500 words descriptive of the display and treating of the valuo of fruih as food. On the subject of teachers and tho war the department intimated that during the currency of the wnr no application for retirement under the extended provisions of tho Superannuation Act will be permitted, except where the efficiency of the serviryj should render tho retirement desirable. The department further suggested that teachers entitled to retire under ordinary conditions should be induced to continue their sen-ice for a longer period during tho currency of the war. The Sccretarv reported that nonn of tho •teachers in the board's service wero entitled to retire under conditions until the end of March, 1918. With respect' to tho request of the Free Kindergarten Association that its three schools in Dunedin be regarded as associated schools and that the Training College students be sent there while practising and observing teaching, the secrcary reported that the department had been asked if the proposal met with its approval, but no reply had yet been received. The matter was held ovnr till noxt meeting The Education Department forwarded copies of draft, regulations indicating the direction in which the Minister proposed to extend the facilities for free post-primary industrial education. —It was decided to forward a copy of the draft to the Tcchn : eal School Managers, who are immediately concerned.