TRUANT TEACHERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 71, 15 June 1927, Page 1

TRUANT TEACHERS

“BIG STICK” WANTED EDUCATION BOARD WORRIED “AN IMPOSSIBLE POSITION” DOWER to wield the “big stick” over truant teachers is wanted by the Auckland Education Board. It is considered that the present legislation does not give the board enough authority to deal with the teachers as they deserve. “If a teacher wilfully absents himself from duty a board is justified in punishing him by censure and by loss of salary; further, that in the event of a repetition of the offence, even dismissal might be justified.” This was the opinion of the Crown Law office, given at the request of the Auckland Board, which wanted a definition of its power over the truants. The chairman. Mr. A. Burns, said that at present teachers might take holidays without the board having the power to dismiss them. All the board could do was to censure them and penalise them by loss of salary. “We are not sure whether w*e are justified in dismissing teachers for the third or fourth offence,” said Mr. R. Hoe.

“FRENCH LEAVE” Outlining a case under review' thu chairman said that a woman teacher had been granted an extra clay’s holiday following Christmas lioldidays and subsequently refused the extra day. Despite this, she extended her holiday. It was against all law' and order that teachers should be allow r ed to do that sort of thing. Mr. Hoe: It would be an impossible position to get into. A teacher could stay home if he thought proper, or go away. Perhaps it would only apply to a small number of teachers, but these would have a tendency to flout the board. Mr. W. J. Campbell: The question should be referred to the Minister. The chairman said that the position should be defined and then, if necessary, there should be an amendment of legislation to give the necessary power to the board. The suggestion was adopted and it was decided to write to the Minister of Education.