SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND THE APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS.

Southland Times, Issue 17697, 8 July 1914, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND THE APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS.

To the Editor. Sir,—No doubt many people have read with interest Inspector Hendry’s remarks on the Victoria School Committee system, and noted therein several items which might with advantage bo adopted in New Zealand. One point, however, was chiefly conspicuous by its absence—the jiower of committees in appointing teachers. Evidently In Victoria they have profited by' New Zealand’s mistake, and decided that such powers are better not possessed by’ committees. We in Southland have only to look to a few of the latest appointments of teachers to see how factors quite apart from scholastic qualifications weigh with committees. In one case we find a committee whose decision is swayed entirely by the consideration of obtaining a footballer player for the local club. In another we find that the deciding factor is one candidate’s devotion to church work of a particular denomination. In a third case a candidate's relations and connections carry the day for him. These arc only a few local examples of what is occurring ail over the dominion. Local committees are necessities in school districts and can be of the greatest value in promoting interest in the school and improving the grounds and buildings, but they should not possess the power of the final choice of teachers. They cannot help their parochialism coming in, with the consequent injustice to other equally deserving candidates who have not the advantage of some local influence.—l am, etc., RUSTICUS. July 7, 3914.