NEW TEACHERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19123, 18 September 1936, Page 9

NEW TEACHERS

CHANGES DEPLORED APPEAL TO DEPARTMENT CRITICISM BY HEADMASTER “Wo have a good man in the present Minister of Education, and if he knows that the people are up in arms lie will take action,” said Mr. D. P. Evans, headmaster of the Central School, the largest primary school in New Plymouth, in-a report to the committee on the disorganisation caused by frequent changes of teachers in schools. The committee has readily supported Mr. Evans and has decided to request the Taranaki Education Board and the ■ various school committees’ associations to make representations to tiie Education Department.

The present numerous changes were most discouraging and disheartening to tho headmasters and staffs of schools, said Mr. Evans. He described the position as becoming desperate. A waiving of some of the regulations and the exercise of common sense, he added, would obviate much of tlm disorganisation that now prevailed throughout the primary schools of the Dominion.

‘‘l am of tho opinion that the teachers are receiving too much consideration and the children too little, Mr. Evans continued. “It is the future oi the child that should bo pre-eminent in tho minds of our educationists, and matters should he so arranged that the child receive? tho full benefit of what is due to him from education-'. Under the present system only limited good can result.”

Mr. Evans gave examples of. cases of successful relieving teachers being transferred, and said that if relieving teachers did not receive permanent places they would he left in the air. By a waiving of the regulations this could be overcome.

A number of parents had 1 complained of teachers being moved too often, said tho acting-chairman. Mr. E. \V. Hodden. One teacher had already 'had five positions this year.

“The salary system < is rotten,” declared Mr. Evans. “The 'teathertfik should be assured of a position for: ,the years, and if their work is satisfactory they should 1 have regular salary., increases. That is not the case now, and is a cause of changes by teachers applying for other positions at higher salaries.”