PROBATIONER APPOINTMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1930, Page 7

PROBATIONER APPOINTMENTS

LOCAL STUDENTS’ CLAIMS. NEW PREFERENCE FOR D EXAM. The number of probationers entering the teaching profession in the Taranaki Education Board’s district next year will be probably less than the number appointed last year, the Director of Education informed the board in a letter received at yesterday’s meeting. The best candidates, irrespective of the place of residence, would be appointed, and it was not known, therefore, how many probationers might be appointed in the Taranaki district. It was very unlikely that candidates from outside districts would be appointed to schools in the district next year. It was pointed out that the department did not intend to disregard the qualifications gained by candidates in the Class D examination. The department regarded a pass in Group I. of the Class D examination and success in any other part of that examination as superior to the university entrance (matriculation) examination qualifications. In a letter setting out the position the secretary stated the board had looked with disfavour upon any suggestion that it would be compelled to ap-i

point to positions in Taranaki any young people from other districts simply because they might have higher academic qualifications than a few Taranaki applicants. At the beginning of this year students had been advised that the teachers’ Class D examination would shortly be abandoned, and for that reason principals had not presented candidates for thatexamination. Students had naturally been advised to sit for matriculation in preference. The following passage from the Education Gazette of March 1, 1030, was I

quoted: “Credits gained in the Class D examination, whether by exemption or independently, will not secure any exemption for corresponding subjects in the training college entrance examination.” ' Reports were received from the principals of secondary schools in the province, supporting the board’s contentions. The chairman (the Hon. S. G. Smith): “This means that they are gradually weeding out the candidates from the smaller districts.” He considered that the smaller districts such as Taranaki, 1 Wanganui and Southland would be sub-i

l ordinated to the other and larger dis- ■ tricts. “It means that in 12 months nothing • less than higher leaving certificates will be considered,” Mr. P. J. H. White remarked. Mr. J. McAllister protested against the . alteration in conditions at the present time of year. The secretary (Mr. H. W. Insull) remarked that a pass in group one of Class D with success elsewhere in the examination was to be counted higher than the matriculation examination, •J which had previously taken precedence, -

On the ehairman’s suggestion the ques- . .tion. was referred to him to make fur- .• . ther representations concerning the application of the new, regulations.