TEACHERS’ DISCIPLINE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18025, 28 February 1933, Page 10

TEACHERS’ DISCIPLINE

EDUCATION BILL CRITICISED FINES AND SUSPENSIONS “It is uncalled for, ill-considered, alul unreasonable, casting an unmerited reflection on a service that has done nothing to deserve it,” declares the New Zealand Educational , Institute executive in reference to the section of the Education Amendment Bill that authorises the infliction of fines on teachers, and provides for suspension for neglect, of duty or disobedience to a lawful command. The section could do no good that could not have been attained under the existing law, it is claimed. The institute considers that suspaiuon is to serious a step to take in c-oiuieqtion with neglect of duty and lisobedience, and that the present law gives ample power to deal with these matters. Furthermore, if the suspension is proved to lie unwarranted and is reversed, the teacher has no claim as a right to payment of salary, but has to await the -consent of the Minister, under the proposed amendment, and the executive considers that this should .be remedied.

“It'was with surprise and regret that the executive saw in the hill tho revival of the proposal to inflict fines on teachers,” the statement continues. “The executive is well assured that there is no good reason for this, and is unaware of any desire or call for it. There is ample power to discipline teachers without subjecting them to this indignity.” Members of the service who were not amenable to the present means of discipline ought to be dismissed and should not be allowed to bring a stigma, such as is represented by the proposal, on the service. On, the question' of, grqding, the Ujceetitive welcomes the consolidation of the law relating to appointments, but states that the fear of the teachers is that so many additional exceptions to the operation of the graded list will seriously weaken it as the basis of a just and reasonable system of appointment, If the section were enacted as drafted there would be so many occasions for disregarding the graded list that its authority would bo almost destroyed,