Teachers in Conference.

Southland Times, Issue 13941, 5 January 1898, Page 2

Teachers in Conference.

[By Telegraph]. Dunedin, Jan. 4. The annual meeting of the Educational Institute oponed in the Town Hall this morning. Mr Davidson (Waitati), who presided, delivered a practical address. Of committees he said that he attributed to them the general interest iu educational affairs taken by the people, but also ascribed most of the evils that had crept into the administration of the system to the influence of the committees, to which was due the unnecessary multiplication of small schools, the large increase of the cost of primary education and the consequent reduction of salaries. The existing evils would only be eradicated by altering the mode of electing the Boards and clearly defining the powers of committees. Committees should have control of the expenditure ; a maintenance allowed ; should receive up to a certain amount as subsidy on moneys locally raised; have charge of buildings ; a voice, to a limited extent, in appointments, and in cases of emergency power to suspend teachers. With their powers clearly defined in these directions there would be no fear of the public taking Isas interest in the administration of the Act. He strongly urged cmtralisation of inspections ; the colony to be divided into districts in charge of senior inspectors, with a staff of assistants under the superintendence of the Inspector-General, and all liable to periodic change. Ho also urged the establishment without delay of a colonial scale of staff and salaries. He pointed out that inadequate salaries were losing to the profession the services of the best of our young men. Out of 385 teachers in Taranaki, Marlborough, Nelson, Grey, and Westland, 226 received 1 ss than LlOO a year. At a meeting of the council of the Institute resolutions were carried affirming the desirableness of adopting a uniform scale of staff for schools and a uniform scale of pay throughout the colony ; that the enforcement of the compulsory clauses of the Act be placed entirely iu the hands of the police ; that the Executive endeavour to secure the centralisation of the inspectorate ; that the Education Department be asked to publish the names of the examiners in the various subjects for certificates.