EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18875, 13 May 1931, Page 3

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. fly Telegraph—Presi* Association WELLINGTON, May 12. The New Zealand Educational Institute opened its conference yesterday. Addresses were given by the president (Mr H. P. Penlington), the Minister of Education (Hon. H. Atmore), and Mr T. B. Strong (Director of Education). Mr Atmore spoke of the handicaps imposed by economy, and mentioned that a salary cut was unavoidable for the time being. The following remits were passed:— “That in anticipation of the return of favourable financial conditions, the Institute urges the Minister to make legislative provision for giving effect to the principal recommendations of the Education Committee’s report. It is particularly urgent that before any commitment is made, the administrative control of each area should be unified.” “That the Institute strenuously oppose the placing of Form I. and 11. children under the control of any but a primary Education Board, or a completely unified primary, secondary, and tecnical education Board.” “That the meeting opposed the piecemeal introduction of the changes mentioned in the recess report, its reason being that stated in the report itself.” “That all post-primary classes and schools should be staffed on the same basis.” “That in view of the fact that there are so many classes of over 50 pupils per teacher in primary schools, the Department be urged to reconsider its decision not to appoint additional assistants this year.” “That the Institute protest against the action of the Department in compelling the formation of unsuitable classes in order to reduce classes below the requisite quota of 60.” No reforms have been accomplished without a struggle, and the committee does not expect its recommendations to meet with universal approval. What it does wish to make clear is that its individual recommendations are integral parts of \ complete scheme of re-organisation, and they cannot be put into effect piecemeal. The conference adjourned until today. UNIFICATION OF EDUCATION. By T^lttrrapn—Pres* Aaaoc* WELLINGTON. May 12. A declaration in favour of the complete unification of the education system was made by the Hon. H. Atmore (Minister of Education) to-day. at the Conference of the Technical Teachers’ Association. The Minister instanced the merging of the technical and secondary schools at Napier and Nelson, and said that it was probable that similar unification would take place in other parts of New Zealand. The Minister said the present 10 per cent, cut in salaries was only temporary, and with the return of better finances, fuller recognition of the value of the services given by teachers to the country would be given. The president (Mr H. A. Jones) in the course of his address, condemned “the spirit of panic and recklessness in meeting the temporary difficulties of the depression by sacrificing or prejudicing the future of the younger generation, conflicting grave injury to the future prospects of the Dominion.” Professional Purposes Only. There were 46 delegates present at the conference of the Technical Teachers’ Association. The Wellington branch submitted a remit “that our Association, formed for professional purposes, do not take action for political ends that are not of an educational nature.” One or two delegates urged that political matters should not be allowed to enter into the work of the Association, and the remit was finally amended and carried by eliminating the word “political.” A remit that the executive be instructed to obtain counsel’s opinion as to the legality of using the funds of the Association for political purposes was defeated, delegates taking the view that the preceding remit adequately dealt with the matter.