THE OTAGO SCHOOL MASTERS ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18547, 6 May 1922, Page 7

THE OTAGO SCHOOL MASTERS ASSOCIATION

The vexed question of the grading of primary school teachers was responsible for a very large and enthusiastic gathering of the male members of the profession last evening, Mr G. W. C. Macdonald presiding. Adverse criticism, tinged' with indignation, was freely expressed, and an unusual unanimity voiced the feeling of the meeting »in the resolutions that were cnWrisd. Convincing figures wiere submitted by several teachers who had . exhaustively analysed the latest graded list, all results proving that the reported dissatisfaction that exists is well groundedv A strong committee was appojnted to collect and collate data already in possession of individuals. _ , The following resolutions were carried unanimously:— 1. That this meeting most emphatically protest against the practice of debarring teachers in one district from appealing against the grading teachers in other districts, and demand that as a matter of justice this should be remedied immediately. '* 2. Since the Court of Appeal has m past years denied to teachers the right of appeal against teachers in outside districts, we, the teachers of Otago, now in common justice demand the right of appeal against other than - the previous vear’a grading. 2. That the C.O.M. be asked to obtain immediately' a legal opinion regarding the validity of the practice debarring appeals against teachers graded in another province, and the practice debarring appeals against other than the previous year’s grading. As the Education Department unjusti-. fiably and illegally refuses to allow Otago teachers to appeal against the grading of teachers in other districts, and to produce evidence other than the" current year’s regarding their place in the list, the Otago Education Board be urged to use their power under the regulations in ro “special cases” to give preference to , their own teachers unless the senior inspector can show that the place of other applicants is warranted.