“ON THEIR MERITS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 409, 18 July 1928, Page 13

“ON THEIR MERITS”

TRANSFER OF TEACHERS BOARD RESCINDS MOTION The criticised resolution which provided that a teacher would be transferred when his school went up in grade, was rescinded by the Auckland Education Board to-day, but no “rigid scheme” for the future was decided on. The committee set up at the last meeting reported to-day that it had considered very fully the whole position of the transfer of teachers whose schools rose in grade, and it had found that no rigid scheme of a general nature would meet the difficulties that arose.

I “The large number of teachers to be transferred under the resolution of November renders it impossible to carry into operation the course decided upon therein,” the report stated. “Close examination of the various cases reveals anomalies that would make the adoption of a general course inequitable and inconsistent.”

The committee had deliberated with a view to adopting the most equitable course for the present holders of positions and probable aspirants and had come to the conclusion that the various complexities necessitated the consideration of each case upon its merits. The board was recommended to adopt the following resolution: That the resolution passed on November 30, 1927, that all teachers named in a list of teachers, whose salaries would rise through increase in grade of schools in 1928, be notified that the board proposed to transfer them, under Section 9 of the Amendment Act. 1919, be rescinded, and that the board revert to its former practice of considering each case upon its merits after receiving from the senior inspector his recommendation thereon, and after full consideration of the average grading of appointees in the Auckland Education district during the preceding two years to similar positions." Tho committee consisted of the chairman. Mr. A. Burns. E. C. Banks, J. McKenzie, T. U. Wells, the senior inspector, the advisory inspector and the secretary. “We put in two hours on the report yesterday,** said Mr. Burns, and the further we went the more complicated it got.” Air. H. S. W. King asked why the committee had not included his addition of the words “and opinon of respective school committees.” It was proposed to allow members to discuss the report until the next meeting. Air. J. Boddie: We could discuss it till Doomsday and get no further ahead with it. The chairman said that if teachers were loyal to each other they would not apply when a school went up in grade. Mr. O. Brownlee: We’ve got a grading list and we have to stick to it. After further discussion the board adopted the report by seven votes to five. A division was taken and the majority for increased to 9.