PROBATIONER TEACHERS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1931, Page 9

PROBATIONER TEACHERS

’ METHOD OF APPOINTMENT* I COUNTRY SCHOOLS PENALISED.. ' J" - * That steps be taken to transfer probationers from their present appointments to schools at Warea, Tikorangi and Normahby, and that the matter of the appointments 'be left in the hands of the deputy-chairman, was a resolution passed unanimously at the meeting of the Taranaki Education Board yesterday. In introducing the subject Mr. A. Lees said that the present system of appointing probationers to the school nearest their homes did not give any consideration to country schools, owing to • the fact that there were no applicants residing in country districts. He know of some schools, such as Normanby, that badly required a probationer, and there might be others in this district, too, 'because as it had been .understood that none could be appointed away from their homes schools had not applied for them. The acting-chairman (Mr. J.. A. Valentine) agreed that the higher qualified probationers had. been offering from the towns, but the board could well appoint them to any schools they wished. In making the appointments the selection committee had taken into consideration the request of the Department that no additional financial responsibilities be undertaken by the appointment of probationers to schools where boarding allowance would be necessary. Mr. Lees said that, some probationers might prefer to accept appointment at a country school, even without" the boarding allowance. .. / The chairman - said that the board knew of no such cases. Mr. Lees said that in saving the £3O country schools were being penalised . and town schools benefited. He pointed out that probationers in some cases were being used by the Department tosave the appointment of am additional assistant. ... A member said that in one breath the Department stated that probationers were not to be regarded as on the staff, whereas in the next breath they said a probationer, could be appointed in place of an additional assistant.

Mr. White said that while technically and legally a probationer was not an assistant, it must be conceded that-as a matter of actual fact , they have taken the place of additional assistants that would otherwise have been appointed. The secretary' read the' regulation which stated that the most suitable applicants must be selected and as far as possible appointed to the school nearest their residence. . .' ■ Mr. White considered that too much stress had been given the question ! of the foO board allowance. Though at. this juncture every possible penny should be saved, some savings might mean a greater loss to the community. There were other avenues where savings could be effected without weakening the education system, as he held that appointment being dependent in place of residence did. He knew that probationers often did as good work as fully Hedged assistants. Mr. Jones said that probationers were . serving a term of apprenticeship and their interest rather than that of the school should be considered. They should be'sent to the schools where they could be best, taught their job. It looked this year as though the Department w’as taking advantage of the appointrUeptt of probationers to appoint less probationary assistants, whicn was to the, disadvantage of a school. The acting-chairman-pointed out that some country school teachers did not care to have probationers, for whose coaching they were responsible. Sir. Lees said that he was satisfied that it was in-the interests of a probationer to be appointed, -to a country r school,, where he would be put at more practical work, rather than in a town 1 school where he might be, kept- correcting exercises. Moreover a probationer keen on his dr her job was a distinct benefit to the staff of the school. !< Other members agreed..

Iti was pointed out that farmers were not able to give their children the extra year required to gain the higher leaving certificate qualification, and so country districts would always be at a disadvantage. Mr. Jones considered that it was necessary that young people commencing training should be appointed as near their homes as possible. The acting-chairman suggested that the chief inspector should be asked to report to the board the country schools to which probationers could advantageously be appointed with a view to placing the onus on the Department. It was pointed out that three schools had already been mentioned, and the resolution as above was carried, Mr. Lees remarking that the board’s aim had always been to give the country and backblocks schools a fair deal, and the inspectors had always helped them.