The Hawaiian gazette., 1905-01-03
1NouIsIToRs BLOCKED.

of Public Instruction is the Honorable
Alatau +. Atkinson. His immediate
office force consists of a secretary and
an assistant secretary, also performing
the duties of school agent for Homo
lulu; stenographer and bookkeeper,
messenger and other attendants. Three
school inspectors have also their head
quarters in the office of the Superintend-
ent
We have to report that there is a
congestion of unfortunate conditions
prevailing. especially in the Superin-
tendent's office. which demands heroic
methods to eradicate and readjust. 1t
appears that the Superintendent of Pub
lie Instruction has long since manifest
ed a personal indifference as to the
proper or improper performance, by
teachers. of their duties; that he takes
but little, if any. personal interest III
their responsibilities and advancement.
Such an attitude is a detrinIent to
proper school work throughout the Ter
ritory He has rarely been seen in the
schools of the city of Honolulu per-
sonally to observe methods or make
suggestions. In fact, his personal pres
ence is virtually an unknown factor in
the schools. The teachers powers OF
initiative and individuality are thus
dwarfed, if not destroyed. From evil
dence adduccd, this grand jury reports
that the course of study now in vogue
in the schools has not been revised for
many years past; further, even though
four hundred teachers are employed in
this department, there are not in use
any printed rules or regulations to con-
trol them. All teachers on the main
land. in cities, are provided with copies
of such, and a Board of Education, fail
ing TO prepare and adopt rules and reg
uations for the guidance of teachers,
would be regarded as gravely Indifferent
of duty. Such rules and regulations
should be drafted carefully considered
by school officials and leading teach
ers, and adopted and promulgated for
the schools of this Territory.
HARD UPON TEACHERS.
( 1t is our consensus of opinion that a
Superintendent influence ought to be
at all times, an active, sympathetic
widespread and enthusiastic one for the
betterment of the teachers and the up
lifting of the business of the, public
! school work and not confined withir
the four walls of an Office. 1t shoulc
be rather an influence of personal pres
ence among the teachers and pupils
which would encourage them in habits
of industry and inculcate ambition, civil
ity, self-poise and thorough knowledge
| of the theory, art and practice ot
teaching; thus superintendent wou!e
extend, successfully, up-to-date expert.
ence in the classroom, and lead ant
personally encourage the youth to seel
high ideals in every occupation of life
a character above reproach, gooc
stock OF energy, and an unlimited sup
ply OF common sense.
, The question of teachers salaries ha
come to the attention of this grand jury
and we desire to say: the reduction, il
salary. of all teachers employed in tn
Territory. OF 20 per cent, went into op
Grafton on the first day of last July, an,
is still in force. This rather radica
2 measure for overcoming a shortage, b,
compelling a large and deserving clas
=, to render up one-hfth of their alread
I meager pay with an additional two pc
= cent discount to the banks), has result
|, ed in their receiving such small month
: " salary as to make it impossible 20
1 many, even by the most rigid economy
e to liauidate their arrears, which are con
e sequentlv increasing. With a few eX
ceptions, the salaries of teachers, at bes
I have been very low, barely providn
e for their actual necessities, with no ide
j of competence for advanced age. No
the salaries are ont of all reason w
consider this reduction in teachers sa
aries unjust, and we respectfully ca
this matter to the attention of the Les
: islature for adjustment. Upon the fact
- as we find them, we would make the 70
lowing recommendations
I. That teachers salaries be restore
!, q That no regular teacher in the d
y partment OF Education receive mont
! ly salary of less than fifty dollars.
'e TEACHERS DISCHARGED WITH
OUT CAUSE.
is 3. A law to indemnify Territori
ID school teachers for moneys appropriate
Z; from their july and August salaries
p 1904, which comprise the eleventh al
al twelfth monthly installments of the
annual salaries, provided for in sche,
Is ule or payroll of teachers salaries (,
,r 1903 and 1904, which had previous
g been prepared and adopted by the Boal
g of Education in August, 1908, and use
/ from September I, 1908, to July 1, 100
r in determining monthly salaries of Il
5, teachers of the Territory.
II By competent evidence this grand ju
lie is informed, and therefore reports, tn
,e teachers have been discharged from Il
" Department of Education without eau;
IS, Such action we condemn, and recor
h. mend that the same be prohibited
r competent legislation, and that the lie
to islature, TO that end, pass law that
regular teacher of the Territory of II
he waii be suspended or dismissed fro
S +: duty until good cause shown, and
,ir the following manner, /. e.:
All complaints or charges agaii
,ir teachers or other employees of
School Department shall be in writii
mt duly SIGNED and verified before I
SIS tary public, and filed with the Secret;
ID, of the Department of Public INSTR
10 ton If the complaint OF charge
i'll deemed worthy of investigation by I
he Board Of Education, copy of the sal