EDUCATIONAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2953, 12 September 1882, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL.

[To the Editor.]

Sib,— l flatter myself that I can lay claim to a certain amount of interest and anxiety for the progress of education, and tbe welfare of my follow man ; consequently, I was prompted to inspect the “ Teachers’ Gazette, for 1882,” kindly lent mo by one of our Government teachers. It surprised ino not a little to find some teachers in our Government schools holding high positions and drawing salaries, whose names are not to be found in the list of certificated teachers. This appears to me a strange anomaly, seeing that the Educational Department is so zealous, and exacting, that all teachers in their schools should obtain a certificate. Perhaps you, Sir, or some of your numerous readers can solve the mystery, and explain by what external influence certain parties have got pitchforked into these positions, and are maintained in them. I take an QtmflhmaLjiivjaJntQ-

the “ Tablet,” and, week after week, see nothing paraded before our eyeshot the great efficiency of the'sye|eiin pursued in Catholic schools. Such boasting seems to me ridiculous. How can a system be efficient that can scarcely boast of a certificated teacher ? 'l"Bm'pretty well' acquainted with a large, number, of the teachers in charge of Catholic 1 schools, and I am very much surprised to see them bolding -such responsible-positions at all, but very little surprised not to see the name of one of them ranking as a certificated teacher ; for, to my own personal knowledge, they were,generally speaking, spoiUtrades at every other business. The. present teacher of the Timaru Catholic School is an exception ; since he, very deservedly, holds a high rank ia the list of certificated teachers. But one swallow does not make a summer ; any more than the bare school buildings make a system of education good, or the habit makes the monk. Before Catholics can put forth ajjust and legal title to a share of the Education grant, let them, begin by procuring a competent staff of teachers for their schools. This is the only point—and it is truly the essential one —in which they lack. Everything else they have done well, and I shall be very glad to see them receive a. fair quota .of the allowance granted, .for education ; provided they educate ttieir children pp to the standard, and open their schools td Government inspection.—Tours,n&c., • ! ORB I»TBBE3TBD>