EDUCATION BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 18927, 28 April 1923, Page 13

EDUCATION BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Education Board was held yesterday those present being Messrs 11. Niven (chairmen), P. de la Pcrreile, J. D. Trotter, A. Bain, J. C. Thompson, E. W. Preddy and F. Smith. Leave of absence was granted to Mr G. F. Johnston. A communication was received from the Education Department with reference to the observance of Empire Day. The Minister asked that all teachers should join heartily in celebrating the day and striving to carry out a programme consisting of lessons i history and geopraphy, addresses, readings, recitations and songs of an Imperial and patriotic nature. “Empire Day” stated the communication, “is an occasion for giving a succint and dignified review within the compass of the youthful intellect, of the ideals of the British people. It should indicate how they, beginning as a nation on islands in Western Europe, have by their strength of character, love □f adventure and power of adaptability, become a predominant influence in the Seven Seas.” A deputation from the Southland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute, comprising Messrs Sproat, Featherstone, am! Greig was received. On behalf of the deputation Mr Sproat said that they wished to discuss the matter of holidays with the Board. He said the teachers of Southland ..•erived great benefit from meeting the teachers from other centres and discussing jdueational matters with them, but unfortunately they were to a large extent prevented from doing this by the fact that hteir holidays did not synchronise with those of the teachers in the northern districts, where the speaker contended a more liberal scheme obtained. There the teachers worked less days in the year and were paid rhe same salaries. In addition to this if any Southland teachers wished to attend •he annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute they had to get special leave and be absent from their uoo’s for a week during actual working hours. Mr Sproat also asked that two full weeks be given in August when the teachers’ examinations took place. Messrs Greig and Featherstone spoke on similar lines to Mr Sproat. On the suggestion of Mr Niven the Board decided to ask the Institute to present their recommendations in writing and they would be fully considered.