EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 17

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

WELLINGTON, January 14. Efforts are being made to bring about an amalgamation of all bodies of teachers. At present ths Educational Institute comprises the primary school teachers only. This morning at the Educational Institute Conference, on the motion of Mr H. A. Parkinson, it was resolved that the executive should be empowered to oomplete the amalgamation with the Technical School Teachers' Association. It was stated by Mr Parkinson that there would have been amalgamation with the Seoondary School Teachers' Association but for a difference as to representation on the executive. January 15. At the Now Zealand Educational Institute's sitting to-day Mr Harkman moved regarding the Appeal Board —" That sections 139 to 146 (inclusive) of the Education Act, 1914, shalLsubsist as heretofore: " That any teacher who is dissatisfied with any ruling of an education board with respect to his grading, salary, promotion, suspension, transfer, or dismissal, and who is a member of an incorporated society of teachers, shall have the right of appeal to any appeal board to be constituted. The Appeal Board shall consist of three members—a stipendiary magistrate, to be permanently appointed by the Minister, one member to be appointed by the Education Board, and one member to be elected by members of the Incorporated Society of Teaohers, The decision of the Appeal Board shall be final and binding on all parties.' " .' • *v The motion was amended in the direction of providing for two elected representatives to sit on men's cases and one on women's cases and stipulating that a nominee of an education board shall not be an inspector responsible for grading. The motion was then carried. January 16.

The New Zealand Educational Institute adopted the report on requirements for school buildings and furniture, demanding an area of five acres for the former up to 20 in country districts, to provide playgrounds, gardens, paddocks, for children's horses and teachers' cows. Other resolutions were passed asking for an increase in pensions for teachers' widows, also for long leave after 20 years' service on full or half-pay, and for *• improvement in teachers' residences. The following officers were elected: President, Mr O. R. Munro; vice-presidents, Mr A. Erskine and Mr W. Phillips; treasurer, Mr J. E. Purchase. The following are now official members of the executive: — Miss Coad (Wellington), Messrs Newton (Thames), MTlroy (Taranaki), Webb (Wellington), Evans (Christchurch), and Blake (Wellington). At Monday's meeting, Mr Just brought forward the" following suggestion to be embodied in the amended Act proposed:—ln each separate district or locality to be defined there shall be constituted an education committee. The education committees shall be constituted in one or other of the manners following:—, , • . (a) In cities and boroughs the city or borough council shall appoint a committee of of its own members, and this committee shall co-opt as members _ not more than nor less than suitable other persons from outside the council. In counties the county council shall either appoint suitable persons to form the education committee for that area, or may make provision for the election of such committee by-the householders of the area. The member of the county council representing each area shall be a member of the committee. (b) In each city or borough and in each education area of any county there shall be elected an education committee of members. The elected members of the committee shall have power to co-opt as members not more than — ■ — nor less than suitable other persons. The education committee shall be elected on the same franchise, and at the same time, and as nearly as may be under ' the same conditions as the members of city and county councils. Mr Just said he would move that the committee be constituted in the form as proposed in (a). Mr Combs opposed the motion, stating that he was opposed to the existence of local control the same as he was opposed to local boards. They should concentrate in the Minister the full and undivided authority of control. Mr Eudey opposed the motion, because it introduced the principle of co-optation, which was and because the duties of the local education, authority would largely and almost entirely fall into the hands of an office staff. Under the education board system there were instances where the office was recognised as the board. Mr Parkinson said that the proposal before the meeting was an adaptation of similar proposals in England. He sincerely hoped the motion would be carried so that the institute could show to the publio that it had some definite ideas on such educa tional reform. Mr de Berry moved that the whole matter of the constitution of the education committees bo referred to the same committee that is to consider the constitution of the national board. The motion was carried. The following motion was moved by Mr Parkinson—" That salaries of teachers shall bo those designated in a schedule the several classes whereof shall be determined in accordance with tho graded list of teachers. The minimum salary for any qualified teacher shall be £l5O per annum, and tho maximum £6OO, provided that for special scrvico the education board may provide further payment in addition. Persons employed as temporary teachers shall receive £135 per annum. Mr Parkinson said that if they coidd stir up the_ country to realise that improved education was necessary then improved salaries must follow. If a proper grading soheme were devised it would form the basis of a justscale of salaries. Mr Pv. Hunter (Otago) moved as an amendment —"That tho salaries of teachers shall be those designated in a schedule based on the length of efficient service on scholastic attainment," and to some extent on tho special responsibilities attached to the certain position occupied. A schedule of salaries placed before the meeting was severely criticised by members as being top law*

Mr Garry (H'awke's Bay) said the time h.id corao for teachers to strike for their rights. Salaries should not bo based on. positions solely, as that would lead to dissatisfaction. He considered that there must be differentiation in the later stages between men and women. Women had not the same obligations as men. The cause of the women was taken up by Miss Simpson (Auckland), who argued in favour of equal pay for equal work. If extra pay was granted to a man bocause of his family obligations, present or prospective, then, logically, the extra money should bo compulsorily saved for bim before marriage, and confiscated if h» did not marry.—(Laughter.) Mr A. J, 0. Hall favoured the inclusion, of the principle of married allowances. They must go slowly if they were to micceed. He thought the Institute should stat* principles and leave figures to the exeou* tive. Mr Combs supported Mr Hall's attitude with regard to the fixing of salaries. H* held, also, that there must bo differentia*, ion between men and women in the higher grades. _ Ho suggested as an amendment to the original motion that salaries ."should! be in accordance with the list based upon length of efficient service and responsibility of position; that the minimum for au teachers be £l5O, and that the maximum b 4 £6OO for men and £4OO for women; thai deailfl of the proposal be left to the execu-». tive." The debate proceeded mainly on th» lines of whether or not there should ba a distinction made between the salaries of men and of women. After two days' discussion tho motion Was carried, the maximum being- reduced to £SOO. It was then resolved that the grading of teachers should be in accordance witn their efficiency and length of service. A resolution was also carried against examining private schools and issuing certificates for public privileges on the ground that the State had no business to roster competitors with its own system.