COUNCIL OF EDUCATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15271, 22 June 1923, Page 5

COUNCIL OF EDUCATION.

PROCEEDINGS AT WELLINGTON. By Telegrkph.—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Thursday. At a meeting of the Council of Education Committee,- presided over by Dr. Marsden, there was brought up a report recommending the council to consider a scheme to obviate the difficulties and loss of efficiency caused by many changes in school staffs during the school year, such scheme to ensure as few changes as possible in the personnel of , the staffs during any year, as recommended by Mr Kirk, with the following petitions:—Applicants for a position in primary schools shall state the length of time spent in the positions previously held; teachers permanently appointed to any position shall not be allowed to accept any position until the end of the year following their appointment; that primary schools be open for teaching on 400 half-days per year, and secondary and technical schools 380; that the teaching hours in secondary schools be increased, and time be devoted to a practical pursuit; that holidays and recesses of the university, colleges, secondary schools, technical schools, and primary schools be co-ordinated and that the Department take action to that effect. Mr Howell moved that it is desirable that the number of school examinations be decreased, and that greater reliance he placed upon the judgment of headmasters, acting in conjunction with inspectors. Mr-Howell’s motion was carried. An address on the Boy Scout movement was given by Sir Alfred Pickford, after which the conference resolved that the Minister be advised to accept approval of the sqout movement, and commend It to the support of parents and of the young people of the Dominion, and that teachers be urged to study the aims, ideals and methods of the movement, with a view to the application of the scout movement to the organised games of schools, secondary schools, and colleges.