TEACHERS AND THE WAR

Otago Witness, Issue 3254, 26 July 1916, Page 9

TEACHERS AND THE WAR

INEXPERIENCED TEACHERS INCREASING. The way in which the war has affected the staffing and work of schools throughout the Otago education district was put before the Education Boaid by the chairman (Mr D. T. Fleming) at its meeting on the 20th. He stilted that there were now so many relieving teachers in the service of tiie board that ho thought it would bo valuable to put before it a total list of its temporary and relieving teachers. Thirty of ins teachers had gone to the war. There werj seven at present on sick, leave, and besides that there were. 1 a number who had gone from the Training College, making a total of 60 who had gone from this district. This showed the sacrifice they were making-. A number of the teachers now filling vacancies had had no experi-.-nce whatever, and he suggested that the inspectors should visit those schools and help the teachers. It was asking the people in the smaller places to make too much sacrifice to give them teachers without any experience. The board should arrange to send some of its inspectors to give the new teachers the instructions and hints necessary. He quoted the following figures to show the number of teachers and training college students who had been accepted for military service from the various education districts: —Auckland 177, Wellington 63, Otago 60, Wanganui 55, North Canterbury 44, Southland 25, Nelson 18, Hawko's Bay 18, Taranaki 13, South Canterbury 10, Marlborough 7, Grey 4, Westland —; total, 494. Mr Mitchell said he entirely agreed with the chairman as to the necessity of doing something to see how far the inexperienced teachers were fulfilling the work they were called upon to do., 'i tic board should endeavour to arranges that they got some guidance from inspectors. A proposal was before the board some time ago to have two junior inspectors, whoso duties would be to go round ant! ■-■-■■• for a week or a fortnight if necessary to put th< working of a school on a proper footing and give the new teacher an insight into methods. He moved

—"That tho chairman's statement of facts bo submitted to the department, and that the latter bo asked to afford facilities whereby tho inspectors may visit schools and give instruction to teachers." Mr G. Livingstone seconded the motion. Mr Scott said he did not think it was possible for the inspectors to do this and their ordinary work as well. Two teachers ought to bo specially set apart for this work, and go round to assist teachers.

Mr Mitchell agreed to add as an alternative tho clause " Or to provide the means whereby the board can appoint two special teachers." Tho motion was adopted in this form.