SCHOOL PICNICS

Southland Times, Issue 21073, 3 May 1930, Page 9

SCHOOL PICNICS

ATTENDANCE OF TEACHERS. FRICTION OVER BOARD’S BY-LAW. Early in the year some discussion arose at meetings of the Southland Education Board regarding the attendance of teachers at school picnics and as the result of the discussion a by-law was passed which reads tis follows: “On the day on which any school is closed under the sanction of the board for the annual school picnic, all the teachers of the school so closed are expected to attend such picnic for the purpose of exercising supervision over the children ur>der their charge both at the picnic and while travelling to and fro, but the school committee shall provide the travelling expenses of all teachers.” At yesterday’s meeting of the board the following letter was received from the secretary of the Southland branch of the Teachers’ Institute:— “Your letter conveying the by-law adopted by your board relative to the attendance of teachers at school picnics was considered by the committee of management of the Southland branch of the Teachers’ Institute at its last meeting. In view of the amicable settlement reached between your board and the delegation representing this institute considerable surprise was expressed that your board should deem it necessary to express its wishes in the form of a by-law. The committee of management on behalf of the members of the branch confidently asserts that there would be no need for any suggestion of compulsion if the true picnic spirit pervaded the whole outing. In the past teachers have enjoyed the privilege of attending their school picnics as free citizens out for a day’s pleasure and as the esteemed friends of both parents and pupils, and under such conditions the majority of teachers not only enjoyed themselves, but also did all in their power to assist in promoting the happiness of all concerned. We respectfully urge the board not to eliminate the goodwill of the teachers by the adoption of a by-law that asks them to attend in an official capacity which is contrary 5 to the whole spirit of the outing. This branch has already indicated to the board that the most tactful performance of the duties required by the teachers by the terms of the by-law may, nevertheless, result in disputes over thd" question of control and may possibly bring the board and the institute into conflict—a matter which this committee of management is most anxious to avoid. We would point out that the teachers at their annual meeting unanimously reacted to the friendly gesture of the board when through the chairman it conveyed to our president its faith in the promise of the committee of management on behalf of the members. It afforded the committee much pleasure that it was able to convey to j'our board a resolution which made it quite clear that the deputation had correctly interpreted the mind of the teach--ers towards the performance of what is their moral and social duty. The receipt of the proposed by-law, therefore, surprised teachers greatly, the more so that a clause was included suggesting that expense was perhaps a reason why some teachers have refused to attend. We consider it our duty to refrain from adopting the proposed bylaw. There are many valid reasons, but the principal one is that it will give offence to many earnest supporters of the board’s wishes in the matter.”

“I thought that was all settled,” said Mr Smith, when the letter was read. Mr Jones said that the teachers evidently had a wrong conception of the by-law. It was not mandatory. There was no penalty clause. The by-law was really a guide to new teachers and was a statement of the board’s policy in the matter. Mr Jones said that he had spoken with Mr Leckie, the president of the Southland branch of the institute, and had explained the matter. He believed Mr Leckie saw the position in its true light and that there would be no farther communications. Mr Rice said that while it was the desire of the board to work in with the teachers in every way, it was not for the teachers to dictate to the board. The letter was received.