The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

EDUCATION COMMITTEE. A quarterly meeting of the Breconshire Education Committee was held at Brecon on Friday, the Bishop of Swansea presiding. FINDING EMPLOYMENT FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. On the reading of a letter from the Board of Education on the question of taking steps to find employment for boys and girls leaving school, Mr W. S. Miller suggested that a com- mittee should be appointed. He said that unfortunately necessity prevented many chil- dren choosing their own career, and everything possible should be done to help them. Mr A. Beckwith proposed that the matter be put on the agenda for the next meeting. He said they had to consider what the adoption of the Act would cost them, and also whether it would not be better to leave the matter to the Labour Exchange Committee it was pro- posed to set up. This proposal was agreed to. NO HOUSE FOR SCHOOLMASTER I AT GILWERN. The Chairman reported the receipt of a letter from Mr D. H. Roberts, of Llangynidr, who was recently appointed headmaster of Gilwern Council School, stating that he haailed to find a house either in Gilwern or the neigh- bouring district, and placing himself in the hands of the committee. On the motion of Mr Miller, seconded by the Hon. R C. Devereux, it was decided to release Mr Roberts from his engagement to go to Gilwerii. Mr James Morgan moved that the -post be offered to Mr Pearce, now serving with the Army in Italy, who was the second on the last short list," and the Rev. H. J. Evans seconded. Mr W. J. Tong proposed as an amendment -that the post be re-advertised, on the ground that it was a dangerous precedent to go back to an old. list. The Rev. John Davies seconded. Mr James Morgan He was second on the list why is he not suitable now ? Mr A. J. Corbett The circumstances are different now a new scale of salaries incoming into operation, and it may bring other appli- cants. The amendment was carried. UNIVERSITY EDUCATION. The Special Sub-Committee appointed to consider the report of the Royal Commission on University Education in Wales presented an exhaustive report which had been drawn up by Prof. Joseph Jones. Mr A. Beckwith said he understood the Higher Education Committee were to consider this report before it was dealt with by the full authority. It was a report of extreme interest, and he thought the committee as a whole would like to express their thanks to Prof. Joseph Jones for having drawn it up. (Hear, hear). It was suggested that a conference of local authorities should be convened to consider this question but they felt that Breconshire was not the largest county in Wales, though it might be the most illustrious—(laughter)—and it was hardly their place to summon such a conference. The point was whether they should approach Glamorgan or Monmouth, or perhaps the University authorities themselves, to convene a conference. Mr David Powell suggested that the Lord Mayor of Cardiff should be approached. Prof. Joseph Jones pointed out that they had had a letter from the Registrar of the Univer- sity saying there had been promises of a penny rate from four or five counties, and if other authorities followed suit they might be com- mitted whether they were willing or not. It was important therefore that they should get proper safeguards. Mr David Powell then proposed that the Chairman ask the Lord Mayor of Cardiff to call a conference. Prof. Jones seconded, and said the incident showed the need of a Welsh County Councils Association to take up these questions. The motion was carried, and the Chairman, Professor Jones, Mr A. Beckwith, Mr W. S. Miller, and the County Finance Clerk (Mr W. E. Jones) were named as representatives of Breconshire, in the event of the conference being held. RECONSTRUCTION PROPOSALS. A report by the Reconstruction Committee showed that it was hoped to start manual in- struction classes shortly at Brecon, Brynmawr, Builth Wells, and Ystradgynlais in rooms at the respective county schools, and it was recom- mended that Mr T. Griffiths, the Brecon County School instructor, be appointed tem- porarily for the Brecon centre at a salary of 92 per -geek, and that Mr Howell Lewis, the Ystradgynlais County School instructor, be ap- pointed for that centre subject to the approval of the District Committee. Miss Ellis, H.M.I., of domestic subjects, had discussed the exten- sion of the teaching of these subjects amongst girls with the committee, and had outlined a scheme involving the appointment of full-time teachers at eight centres, which was being con- sidered in conjunction with the special difficulty of rural areas. The Committee recommended the appointment of a woman organiser of physical training for the i county. The Chairman moved the adoption of the report. Mr Owen Price, in seconding, said the report was excellent as far it went, but it should go further and embrace an agricultural policy. There was no reference to agriculture in it, and there ought to be an agricultural side. Prof. Jones welcomed the suggestion. rIg Mr Beckwith was in favour of advertising for teachers of manual instruction. After some discussion the Brecon appoint- ment was confirmed, but with this exception the matter was referred back to the committee. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. The report of the Agricultural Education Committee stated that a short course in dairying had been again held at Brecon, with ti students, six of them Women's Land Army re- I cruits. Y,10 scholarships for the advanced courses at Aberystwyth had been awarded to Miss G. Davies, Penwern Farm, Llanspyddid, Miss Elsie Williams, Brynich Farm, Brecon, and Miss Lizzie A. Jones, Penrhiw Farm, Y stradgynlais. Mr Owen Price, in presenting the report, said the dairying course at Brecon was very much appreciated. MEDICAL TREATMENT. The Medical Inspection Committee reported the permission of the Board of Education to go on with the proposed arrangements for medical treatment at hospitals, with the exception of the Blaina and District Hospital, in respect to which the Committee were awaiting information as. to rate of payment. In moving the adoption of the report the Bishop of Swansea intimated that in view of the discussion at a meeting that morning a proposal to use certain premises at Ystrad- gynlais for a school clinic had been adjourned for further consideration. FINANCE. Mr David Powell, in presenting the report of the Finance Committee, intimated that the scale of salaries would be dealt with by the County Finance Committee for the County Council meeting, and membevs must be pr3- pared for a financial shock next Friday, but there was not going to be rny difficulty. (Hear, hear). The attendance Lt the meetings of the Education Finance Committee had got down to a very low ebb. There were 23 members, but they could only get three or fow to attend. He knew the difficulty and expense of travelling, but theie were plenty of gentle- men who could attend the meetings and did not do so. MANAGERS. Vacancies on school managing bodies were I filled as follows :-Crickhowell Council School, Mr Owen Thomas, Llanfair Farm LlanviPo Council School, Mr J. Price Pent:3fel'n School, Mrs R: D. Garnons Williams. HIGHER EDUCATION. The Higher Education Committee recom- mended that county minor scholarships be awarded as follows,"subject to conditions :— ONK YEAH. Brynmawr County School.—Mabel Elizabeth Bainton, Margaret May Delahaye, Brynmawr Ellen Edwards, Cefn Coed Gladys M. Morgan, Olive May Powell, Brynmawr Florence May Richards, Clydach Winifred Anita Rowland, Crickhowell. Builth County School.—Elizabeth Gweullian Edwards. Newbridge Sybil Gwyneth Howells, Builth Constance Keeble Powell, Llangam- march Elsie Roberts, Newbridge Amelia Marjorie Abery, Builth.. Ystradgynlais County School. — Minnie Christiana Jenkins, Ystrr.dryn±ais Margaret Jones, Abercrave Annie Morgan, Pencae Margaret Jane Morris, Mary Ann Thomas, Penrhos. TWO YEAIIS. Brynmawr.—Irene Louisa Lewis, Brynmawr. Y stradgyn lais.—Annie Davies, Mary Williams, Gwyneth Esther Powell, Abercrave. Ten applications were received for scholar- ships at the Welsh Summer Sc'iool at Llanwrtyd Wells, Lnd the Committee reccn- mended that ccLolarsh'ps be granted to :—Miss E. J. Jones, Brynmawr Council Girls' School Miss E. J. Godsell, Llanfihangel Nantbran School Miss R. Wilbams, Defynnock Endowed School Miss E. E. M. Hoby, Penrhos Council Infants' School Mrs M. Jones, Cwmtwrch Council School Miss W. E. Arthur. Llall- fechan Council School (half-scholarship); Miss M. P. Arthur, Llanfechan Council School (half-scholarship). MARRIED WOMEN TEACHERS. Mr Jamas Morgan, in pursuance of notice, moved That this -Committee is of opinion that it is unreasonable and unfair to appoint u- married female teachers to positions in this county far away from their homes, )N-ieti the schools 'in their own immediate locality are staffed by married women who are' therefore no longer dependent upon the teaching pro- fession for their livelihood. It therefore instructs the Secretary to serve notices dis- pensing with the services of those married female teachers who, in the opinion of the District Education Committees, can be replaced by unmarried teachers. It also considers it advisable to appoint certificated in preference to uncertificated teachers whenever the general circumstances and condition of a school warrant this course." Mr Morgan discla oied any intention of getting rid of all married female teachers, and said they had cases at Brynmawr of unmarried teachers whose parents had a right to expect some return being asked to go to the other, end of the county, whilst there were married women in the Brynmawr schools who had been combed out from Ebbw Vale. The Rev. H. J. Evans seconded the motion. The Rev. Hilary W. Lewis pointed out that the resolution affected the whole county there was nothing in it which made it apply, to temporary married teachers only. Mr Morgan agreed to add the' word tem- porary. Mr A. J. Corbett said he understood some of the married female teachers had been serving nine or ten years. Mr Morgan was understood to say those he (referred to h:.d not been employed by the Committee more than nine months. Professor Joseph Jones thought it was inequitable to send single teachers from Brynmawr to' Ystradgynlais when there were married women employed temporarily at Brynmawr. Mr Miller opposed the motion, observing that these teachers came to 'the rescue of the Committee whefi they were in an emergency. Mr Beckwith said the more he considered the first paragraph of the motion the more he felt that he should be sorry to see it on their records. It was unfortunately worded and would not commend itself to the best sense of any public authority. These married women came in to help the Committee why interfere with them ? The Committee had nothing to do with the question of the homes. The mover argued entirely from one or two cases he knew in Brynmawr that was parochialism gone mad. If the idea was not to appoint married female teachers when single

TEACHERS' SALARIES. New Scale Adopted by Brecon- shire Education Committee. At a meeting of the Breconshire Education Committee on Friday, at Brecon, a new scale of salaries for teachers was presented for adoption by the Staffing and Salaries Committee. The scale had been prepared by a sub-committee after two conferences with a deputation of ) teachers. PROVISIONS OF THE SCALE. The main proposals of the scale affecting assistants are as follows :—Supplementary teachers, commencing £-10, rising to 965 uncertificated, £65, rising to 990 in six years, and 9100 after 10 years' continuous service certificated males, £ 100, rising to 9200 do. females, £ 90, rising to £ 160. Head teachers will be in four grades, princi- pally decided by average attendance. Grade I. —males £t40 rising to £2-10 females, 9125 rising to 9 180. Grade II.—males £160 rising to JE270 females 1140, rising .to £ 200. Grade III.—males, £ 180, rising to-JE300 females, £ 155risingto JE225. Grade IV.-iiiafes 9 200, ris- ing to 93,50 females, £ 170, rising to £ 250. In schools with an average attendance of under 30 the maximum for male teachers is to be JE200 and for females 9165. The scale-is to be retrospective to April 1st last. Schools will not be regraded except on a vacancy or in very special circumstances. Time spent on naval or military service in the war will count as school service for the purposes of the scale, and time spent in a training college will also count. Promotion to a higher grade will carry an immediate increase of X20 per annum for men and £ 15 for women. Provision is also made for the application of the scale to existing teachers, increases to take effect from March 31st as follows :—Certi- ficated head teachers, £ 15 and such sum as may be necessary to reach the next highest point of the scale certificated assistants, £ 10 uncer- tificated teachers, £5 and such sum as may be necessary to reach the next highest point of the scale supplementary teachers, £ 5. The estimated increased cost of the scale for four years is as follows :-1918-19, £;},4-10; 1919-20, 95,095 1920-21, £ 6,655 1921-22, £ 7,800, calculated on the teaching staff as it stands now, and not taking into account the I present low staff, teachers with the Forces (22). and further improvements in the teaching staff which will be necessary after the war. The Finance Committee in their report stated that they had considered the proposals of the Staffing and Salaries Committee with regard to the new scale, and a further sum of £-1,000 would be re- quired for this purpose during the current ¡ financial year. I TEACHERS' VIEWS. A letter was read from the Breconshire County Association of Teachers, N.U.T., ex- pressing appreciation of the fact that the sub- committee called a number of teachers into consultation when preparing the new scale, and suggesting the formation of a permanent con- sultative committee of teachers. The association also recognised with pleasure the way the salary question had been dealt with, and agreed to accept the new scale as another step in the I natural progression, which was inevitable, to- wards placing the teaching profession in the I position which the importance of its work de- manded, with the proviso that next year they would ask for sympathetic consideration of the I older teachers in the matter of increment. THE BISHOP'S REVIEW. I The Bishop of Swansea (chairman), in moving the adoption of the new scale and conditions, said this was by far the most important pro- posal they had had before them for a very long time. Mr Fisher's Education Bill and the preliminary grant brought something they had been asking for many years. They had been saying continually that the Exchequer did not make a sufficient contribution towards the cost of education, which was a national concern and one of the great virtues of the present pro- posal was that it established a relationship. between the payment by the Exchequer and the payment by the rates. The more the county spent on education the more the Exchequer was prepared to give in the way of grant. Mr Fisher's principle was to give them gentle en- couragement. If they spent a good deal he would give them a good deal, and if they were inclined to be parsimonious he would keep sums which would otherwise come to them. Breconshire was not even now entitled to the, full amount that might have come. As regards the new scale it must be evident to everybody that the teachers of the country had been paid on a wrong basis it had not been recognised on a wrong basis it had not been recognised z, that their work demanded a higher scale of re- muneration than it had received. If they com- pared the salaries of teachers with the money earned, for instance, by artisans, it was quite evident that the basis on which they had paid their teachers had been a wrong 9ne, and that evident that the basis on which they had paid their teachers had been a wrong 9ne, and that to bring up the remuneration to a right level there must be a considerable effort made. If anybody was inclined to say that the new scale represented a large increased expenditure, his reply was that it must do so. If the teachers were to be properly remunerated for their valuable work, a large initial increase of their salaries must be faced. Afterwards he hoped the increase would not be so heavy. The additional expenditure involved by the scale for the current year was £ 3,440, but they would get from the Exchequer at least 50 per cent. of that, it might be three-fifths, and they must bear in mind that under the existing scale there would have been increases in the current year amounting to X.500 or jMOO. To arrive at the nett increased cost of the new scale, they I must deduct half the 13,440 and also the £ 500

I ones were available, why not put it in plain words After some further discussion a vote was taken and the motion was defeated by the casting vote of the Chairman, who said he gave i'j on the ground that he did not like a sudden change of principle. I The discussion on a new scale of salaries is separately reported. 11

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1-111: 14. ■ JS^EXSllentforB Mother Seigel's Syrup is an exceIlet i§Sl remedy for Indigestion, because" pB ffis assists stomach, liver and bowels, l° |j|8 j £ L do their work naturally, and efficiently- IK ? With these organs in perfect working jjg jrf order Indigestion becomes impossIble. Big Put it to the test. • i t:4 hi

r> • or £ 600 provided for in the existing scale- ,.e purpose of the new scale was to make teaching profession more attractive. realised that they would not get teachers y' unless they had something more attractlrÁ" offer than they had been offering in the The maximum for male teachers in the birjjf grade was 9 350, but there were only t-W three in the county who would attain tile because of the high grading and 9250 AlvO maximum for female teachers. Those fig:;eø were by no means excessive, and he had „ .meii that week a scale with 1200 appointments °C to female teachers with a maximum of Therefore while they had made a very large crease, they were not in any way going iiit° extravagant position. He thought the teac^ of the county cordial ly agreed with the itself, but in common with all other author1. T: they had a difficulty about the way of bri"^ existing teachers on to it. It was propose" j give a flat rate increment to every certify head teacher of £ 15 that was in additIoll fJJ the £ 20 increment under the Fisher gran* that every head teacher, as compared year ago, would get altogether 135 increisc- was also proposed to bring the teacher °n. 21 scale at the nearest point above the under those conditions, so that there J11. be an additional £ 4, 96, or £8 per anO of There had been a desire on the part of s0j^0g- the teachers that they should definitely nise past years of service, but there were financial and other difficulties in doing tha^e they already recognised years of service ¡oile8 fact that the teachers had their prese- e to in virtue of the increments that bad coin them through their years of service. Prof. Jos. Jones, in seconding the adop^ said he was glad to hear the letter fr°ni ■, teachers, and to find that there was n<> Pjt, bility of any strike in Breconshire. hear, and laughter). They did the right in consulting them they had done a towards breaking down the artificial and + jectionable barrier which had existed bet^fj f employer and employed. He had a great of sympathy with the teachers' idea of I sultative committee. He rejoiced that It," i possible for a teacher in Breconshire Salary of £ 350 a year it might seem what a clerk in the shipping world could ^$- but it was equal to the salary a professor university college received until a short* ago. ttle Mr W. S. Miller considered the comio" had come to a very satisfactory conclusion- to the authority was under a deep obligati^ them. He was exceedingly pleased that was no difference between them and to teachers, because the welfare of the tiatiot' i large extent depended on the teachers should keep an open mind to any advances the teachers in future, and he thought it be well if they expressed their approval idea of a consultative committee. The Bishop of Swansea pointed out teachers would no longer be penalised i11 matter of grading when children had 0,11"1 (laughter)—or left the iteighbourhoo schools would not be regraded except occurrence of a vacancy or under very slle circumstances. He hoped every member cil committee who was on the County COil' would make a point of attending the Coalf tit" meeting next Fridaj-, to make quite sure scale passing there. (Laughter). He thOt 11 they had better put down the question tiog. consultative committee for their next mee o¡je It was a most promising suggestion, and it, that was being more and more acted upon- adoption had led in many cases to the 'd JJot ance of friction and difficultie but he dI. bOllt think they could adopt it that day notice. ssoil The new scale was the;i unanimously P"