STAFFING THE SCHOOLS

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13464, 19 April 1917, Page 5

STAFFING THE SCHOOLS

PLEA FOR COUNTRY TEACHERS.

(By Telegraph—Press Association). AUCKLAND, Thursday. Two important motions were moved by Mrs F. E. Baume at the meeting of, the Education Board, one in the interests of country school teachers and the other to give fair play to men at the front. The first motion was: "That all temporary positions be advertised.'' Mrs Baume said her object was to open up a subject that appeared to be a matter of grievance amongst teachers. In cases where a headmaster went away, the. first assistant might be the most suitable to fill the vacancy, but it would be more satisfactory if such positions were advertised, when competent country teachers might apply.

Mr R .('. Smith seconded the motion. Mr J. D. McKenze (chairman) said it was the aim of every good teacher to get into the town, but care should be takeii not to deplete the country of good teachers. He knew teachers in the country who were fitted to fill any post, tion in town schools, yet they inner get a chance. (Applause.) Mr G. J. Garland: That is not the Board's fault.

Mr A. Burns said he saw no harm in advertising temporary vacancies.

Mr G. J. Garland stated that 246 of their teachers had already enlisted. Country teachers had a right to be transferred to town schools if they could win them. He was not against country teachers winning the places, but to advertise the temnorary positions was not advisable at the present juncture. He would welcome a system of transfers as suggested by the chairman if it could be done. The chairman: We cannot transfer a teacher without his consent.

Mr Garland: And that is just the difficulty. Mr G. W. Murray said he had never heard of any difficulty whatever in a good tea her in the country getting a town school. He contended it was better to deal with each temporary appointment upon its merits.

Mr E. C. Banks agreed. Mrs Baume said she would not press the, resolution, as she bad accomplished her point by bringing the matter before the Board.

The motion was then dropped Teacehs at the Front.

Mrs Baunie move:!: "That ,in the interests of those teachers who are on acti c sen ice, all appointments, as far as possible, be made temporary during the pe-iod of the war." The mover poinded out that teachers who were away nobly fighting for the Empire might be 1 sing g ol opportunities by promotion! of otho" touchers during their absence. She claimed that those men should not be penalised for doing their duty. If all appointments were temporary the whele position would be bet er at the end of the war.

Mr Banks seconded che motion r and Mr Garland expressed approval. The motion was then accepted .