EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2393, 7 January 1909, Page 6

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

[Piiesß Association.]

DUNEDIN, Jm. 6. The Educational Institute"' Conference continued yesterday, when the following further resolutions were adopted: “That the mathematical and other difficult portions in course A geography be -deleted from the syllabus, or transferred to course B. and that a portion of course B be substituted in lieu thereof: that the travelling expenses of the executive he paid out of the general fund; that the Minister of Education be requested to see that the Education Act is administered by the Boards in accordance with the provisions of the Act and Departmental regulations; that the Alinistcr be asked to frame regulations so as to provide for the Education Department’s acceptance of the required medical certificate on tho first entrance of a teacher into the teaching profession ; that the Minis-* ter he respectfully asked to formulate a tentative scheme to embody the principles accepted by the Institute at its meeting in 1908 ; that the Inspectors of the Dominion shouM be placed under the control of the central department with respect to interpretation of the regulations amr syllabus; that a co’onial scale of sa.l arias for tlio inspector’ite is urgent.v needed.” A motion that rifle shoot ing should be placed on the syllabic as an optional subject was lost.

COAIPULSOTIY ATTENDANGE. The New Zealand Educational Institute resumed its sittings this morning. The following remit from South Canterbury was carried: “That the Alinistcr of Education be requested to introduce legislation making it compulsory for pupils attending pujmary schools to attend every time their school is open , the usual tions being -allowed.” A Westland remit was also carried, as follows: “That no teacher shall suffer loss in salary through drop in "attendance •until he has a chance to transfer to a position of equal salary.” A motion was agreed to that appointments and promotions shall be -decided by merit, length of service, and experience, irrespective of whether the applicant was inside- or outside the district in which the vacancy occurs. CARE OF CHILDREN’S TEETH. Dr Pickerill, addressing tho Educational Conference on the necessity for teaching dental and aural hygiene in the primary schools, urged the inclusion of these subjects in the curriculum. The teeth .of the children of this generation were fast rotting.' With them must inevitably go their physioaj and mental well-being. Ninety per cent, of the children were affected with dental disease in various forms. Alore physical deterioration was due to defective teeth than -alcohol. The appointment of State paid dental surgeons-to public -schools might become necessary, to stein t>iie ever-advancing tide of dental disease, but it was a measure of expediency and was not to the best intotest or the children to provide free t: eatment when the laws of. health wee so generally disobeyed, as it ircght tend to further negligence while-les-sening parental responsibilities.

CLOSE OF THE CONFERENCE. The /Educational Institute Conference closed to-night, when the -following motions were carried: “That this Institute, especially in the larger centres, take into consideration the question of the use of cadets, school children and public school teachers for tho purpose of display, with the-view of taking action to limit such displays.” “That the Minister..be. asked to state definitely before the end of January the grounds on which the proviso to Clause 12 of the Teachers’ Superannuation.-'Act; is to he made operative'.”