INFANT MISTRESS APPOINTMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21265, 20 February 1931, Page 3

INFANT MISTRESS APPOINTMENTS.

METHOD OF FILLING POSITIONS. AMENDING PROPOSAL REJECTED.

DISCUSSED BY EDUCATION BOARD.

The methods used in the appointment of infant mistresses of large schools were considered at the meeting of the Otago Education Board yesterday, Mr W. M. Cooper moving in accordance with notice of motion that the previous motion of the board bo rescinded, and that in future the infant mistresses of all large schools should be appointed after the advertisement of the positions as “ special appointments.” Under the present conditions the appointments were open to all teachers. Mr Cooper said that his idea in advocating a change was that while applicants should he suitably equipped, educationally, they should also possess the necessary temperament for infant work. In brief, an infant mistress should be a woman in whom was developed the maternal instinct. He believed that in the past they had had many good infant mistresses, but die was firmly convinced that there were other qualifications quite as essential as academic attainments. Mr J. H. Wilkinson seconded the motion, and stated that he fully recognised the earnest desire on the part of members of the board to deal justly with the teachers. But they could not consider the teachers at the expense of the children. He thought that infant mistress appointments should be offered only to those with special qualifications which were undoubtedly necessary to the post. He had watched with keen interest the work being done in the infant departments of their schools, and he was convinced that those classes that were under the control of one naturally fitted and trained for that particular work had the advantage over those who were not. A temperamentally equipped mistress had a magic effect on the children under her care. They must remember that they had to consider the interests of the children quite as much as the rights of the teachers. . Only those with special talents in this consideration should be given the appointments. A teacher who for 20 or 30 years had been teaching the standards could not be expected to make the most successful infant mistress. There were rare and brilliant exceptions, but as a rule such teachers were not fitted for infant work. If the board adhered to its present policy in regard to such appointments it was not carrying out its functions properly. Mr G. Livingstone also spoke in favour of the motion.

Mr D. T. Fleming expressed himself as totally opposed to the motion. He maintained that the board selected the best teachers under the "present method of appointmnent, and expressed the opinion that the board should exercise due discretion without' restricting itself to a certain class of applicant.

Mr J. Horn said he would like to know how the movers of the motion were going to judge whether a teacher were specially fitted. He thought the board should Lave the right after two years to remove a teacher from infant work if satisfaction were not given. Someone else could then be appointed. Mr R. H. Todd supported the motion, and said he did not think the board had achieved all it might have done merely by appointing the highest-graded teacher. The passing of the motion would give them a freer hand, and teachers who specialised in infant work would be encouraged to become more proficient. The board should be guided largely by its inspectors in such appointments. Mr Fleming pointed out that evep if it were made a special appointment only the highest-graded teacher could be selected for the position of infant mistress.

The senior inspector (Mr A. Bain) said that lie agreed with everything that had been said in support of the motion. The Otago Education Board was alone in the matter of such appointments as all other hoards made them special positions, The board should forget the little bit of power it was asked to sacrifice, and think of the. infants who were entitled to have the best teachers available. The passing of the motion would open up an avenue of promotion for those who specialised in this work. The continuation of the present policy meant putting a brake on the wheels of educational progress in this district. There had been misfits in the past, and teachers had been appointed who by temperament and training were unfit for the position. The chairman (Mr J. Wallace) said he resented the inspector’s imputation that what misfits had occurred were the fault of the board. He would say that they were rot the fault of the board. He thought the board should have an entirely free hand in such appointments. The motion was then put to the meeting, and was defeated on the casting vote of the chair.