STAFFING OF SCHOOLS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3842, 1 November 1927, Page 36

STAFFING OF SCHOOLS.

ALTERATION OF GRADING DATE. A MORE CONVENIENT SYSTEM. W ELLINGTON, October 25. The Education Department has decided upon a change in the date of the grading of schools-for staffing purposes. In future the grading from February 1 in each year will be based on the average attendance of the four quarters ended September 30, instead of on the four quarters ended December 31, as at present. The following are some of the advantages which it is hoped will be gained from the alteration:— 1. Education boards would know three months beforehand what the staff of each school would be from February 1. whereas now the staffing is known only a few days before the schools are opened.

2. Steps could be taken to have all new appointments-made and increases or reduction of staffs provided for so that the teachers could commence in their new positions from February 1. 3. The employment of a large number of relieving teachers would be avoided, with a corresponding increase in the efficiency of the schools. 4. The work of re-grading the schools and re-arranging the staffs could be done at a time when the boards’ staffs were not busily occupied with other duties, as they arc now during January. 5. Teachers would know before the holidays what transfers were being made, and removals could be made during the holidays. Should the attendance at any’ school increase during the December quarter so as to require a larger staff, an additional assistant can be provided in accordance with the regulations.