SECONDARY EDUCATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3662, 20 May 1924, Page 28

SECONDARY EDUCATION.

CONFERENCE OF SCHOOL PRINCIPALS. WELLINGTON, May 13. At the annual conference of the Secondary j Schools Principals’ Association Mr J. Drumj mond .presided. Mr J. Caughley (Diree- | tor of Education) and Dr Marsden (Assistant ■ Director) -were present. [ It was resolved—“ That the association expresses regret that the old scale of salaries has not been published in the new regulations. and requests the department to publish the scale of salaries previous to the cut as well as the actual salaries payable after the deductions imposed by the Public Ser-' vants’ Expenditure Act.” It was decided that secondary school teachers should be required to give three months’ notice before leaving, instead of two. It was also resolved that the boards, with their principals, should have full discretion in spending the sum set aside for part-time teachers, provided that the sum was used for the salaries of part-time teachers. The department is to be asked to substitute for the present per capita allowance for part-time teachers a sliding scale. Considerable discussion took place upon the reading of a circular letter from the Auckland Grammar School Board dealing with certain difficulties which it said had been experienced. The circular stated that the Auckland Board had reason to believe that dissatisfaction was widely felt by the secondary school boards of the dominion with the excessive and increasing centralisation of control of secondary schools bv the Education Department in "Wellington. The powers of the boards had been taken away by the issue of successive regulations, and unless some effort were made to arret this movement the boards would be reduced to mere intermediaries, carrying ut mechanically the orders of the department. It was suggested in the circular that some joint action should be taken, and a proposal was made for a deputation to wait upon the Minister of Education. Mr T. R. Cresswell (Wellington) moved “That the principals of the secondary schools favour a system of local rating as a means of raising at least part of the funds required for educational purposes, believing that such a procedure would (a) stimulate local interest and pride in education, because of the measure of decentralisation-, (b) put an end to the suspicion of preferential treatment as between district and district • (cl bring about the much-needed divorce of education and politics: (d) by giving more initiative and responsibility to local boards, dignify the membership of such bodies, and induce, the ablest men to accept office.” The motion was seconded pro forma, but it was decided to defer further discussion on the matter until later iti the conference. WELLINGTON, Mav 13. The president of the Secondary Schools .Assistants’ Association. Mr A. C. Gifford, in his opening remarks at the conference to-day, stressed the importance of four or five years of secondary school life. In those years the school was responsible for providing an environment that might make or mar a life’s completeness. He advocated a much wider choice of special subjects, but said this must not be confused with premature specialisation. Those with strong literary tastes should be relieved of some of their work in other subjects. Education should do more than enable a pupil to make, a good living: it should provide him with an enduring and increasing interest for the rest of his life. If the spirit of research could be aroused in the schools something would be done towards the betterment of the world. Mr Gifford was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. A remit from the Wellington branch that the official position of first assistant be recognised, and that every such official first assistant who is not in receipt of the top

salary shall be given that salary was car- j ried. Regarding the grading and re-ciassification j of teachers, a motion was carried unanimously expressing confidence in and agreement with the present system of grading, classification, and appointment of teacners, and strongly disapproving of reverting to the previous conditions. WELLINGTON, May 14. Among the resolutions and remits carried at the Secondary Schools Conference were the following:— “That the Minister be requested to abolisii Iho Council of Education or failing that, to amend the constitution of the council in the direction that teachers may obtain a greater share of representation; and that the present anomaly be removed by which one male and one female teacher represent the technical schools and secondary schools of New Zealand.” “That the association requests the Minister to extend the provisions of the Court of Appeal Act in order toenable a teacner who is in all respects eligible for a higher grade position to appeal against the appointment cf any teacher who has not the required qualifications for that position or who has been appointed against the recommendation of the principal/’ “That the Minister be asked to make use of the existing secondary schools as a training ground for young teachers who wish to take up secondary school work.” “That tlie department be asked to interpret more liberally the regulations covering subsidies on voluntary contributions.” “That the Minister of Railways be asked to amend clause 14 of the Railway Regulations (free school season tickets) by deleting the words ‘available for distances not exceeding 60 miles.’ ” “That the modern methods of teaching require better equipped libraries, and in large schools properly trained librarians.” “That as an increase in salary was not in the nature of a bonus, the salaries should in justice be restored to the same rates as before the cuts.” “That ihe department be urged tc publish in the Gazette particulars of important recent publications of the Education Departments and educational associations in Great Britain and America, having as their aim greater efficiency in the teaching of the various subjects of the secondary school curriculum.” WELLINGTON, May 14. At the annual meeting of the Secondary Schools’ Association it was resolved that the Minister and the Department of Education and the University Senate should be asked to take the necessary steps to bring about the early application of the accrediting system as an alternative to matriculation.