TEACHERS AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22607, 26 June 1935, Page 4

TEACHERS AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

TO THE EDITOR

Sir—How intellectual sound the expressions "anti-teacher complex" and " psycho-analysed," used by " Teacher,' but how unworthy of in educator his references to my mentality! Tis to be hoped he does not treat his pupils bo.

Oh, wad some power the giftie gie us, Tae see oursers as ithers «ee us. It wad fae mony an evil free us and foolish notion. "Teacher" is not the type of person with whom one can enjoy pleasant argument. What have events in far away Auckland province to do with us? On, Mr Editor, why' did you print something so remote from us? We in Otago have nothing to do with the public service sofar away. "Spite," says "Teacher. And that is the point—although " Teacher" was too intent on puerile abuse to see it. The teaching profession should be more subject to the discipline and conditions generally of the public service as a whole. " Teacher " has stated that it is the instructors more than the children who require lengthy holidays. I am answered, though I think were "Teacher" a really good educationist of experience he would not hold that opinion. I am not concerned with the Quantity of the holidays which the profession has. They should, however, obviously conform to the recognised periods granted by the department. Notwithstanding the nerve strain of teach-

ing, emphasised by the. holidays which the staffs enjoy are, I take it, given to them because there is no work for them while schools are closed, and therefore they should be on call if re- / quired for any special purpose.—l am, etc., School Committeeman.