OKOIA SCHOOL AND SCHOOLMASTERS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6086, 1 December 1886, Page 2

OKOIA SCHOOL AND SCHOOLMASTERS.

TO THE EDITOB,

Sib, — I Buppose the time is nigh whea we may expect another master for the Okoia School Well, If a variety -la essential to the successful tuition of the children, Okoia scholars ought to advanos rapidly, there having been for a number of years an average of about one schoolmaster every six months! Under these oircnmstances I do not wonder at the universal dissatisfaction expressed at the poor results obtained at the examinations' It may be asked, why does eaoh successive teaoher so soon quit this position, eliciting IJauppDas the answer that no master could long put up with the petty grievances and quarreli which it seems will ever be characteristic of the population of Okoi». Of course, for a time he h everything that ia good, and to the people of distinction occupies the position of un chire ami de lafamille, but some grievance is soon brought against him, which is either Buffioient in itself to expel him, or eventually becomes subservient to that end. lam loth to include women in the general censure, but I cannot help remarking that one or two in particular have taken an active part, that is as regards the expulsion of former teachers; The plausible reason for prejudice is, I believe, strictness on the part of the master ; now until lately there have been boys, or rather yonng men (for they are old and big enough to be undergraduates) who have been encouraged by their parents to play truant and the like, and then any attempt on the part of tho teacher to preserve order, ia met by a charge of harshness. When will the people of this township cease to revel in the boast that Okoia has had about fonr timea the number of schoolmasters of any other school in the distriot, and help to encourage good feeling between the master and themselves to the interest and general good of their ohiHrerj.— l am, &0,, Senex.