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(This Docwreent
His
184
;
Brlkxn,,...-
I n O c t o b e r I r e c e i v e d a R e p o r t from t h e
Standing
J o i n t Committee of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of L o c a l E d u c a t i o n
Authorities
and t h e N a t i o n a l u n i o n of T e a c h e r s w h i c h had come t o an a g r e e ­
ment as t o t h e a d o p t i o n of S t a n d a r d S c a l e s of S a l a r i e s
Teachers in p u b l i c Elementary
for
Schools.
I h a v e d i s c u s s e d w i t h t h e C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r
t h e a t t a c h e d r e p l y d e a l i n g w i t h t h e R e p o r t g e n e r a l l y , and I
u n d e r s t e n d t h a t he r a i s e s n o o b j e c t i o n t o i t s i s s u e .
however of t h e C a b i n e t R e s o l u t i o n ,
Cabinet t o i t s
In view
I d e s i r e t h e s a n c t i o n of
issue.
I t w i l l be s e e n t h a t i n p a r a g r a p h s 9 and 10 I make
c e r t a i n r e s e r v a t i o n s as t o the Committee s
1
recommendations,
and t h e s e p a r a g r a p h s a r e p e r h a p s t h e mo?t m a t e r i a l .
The m a t t e r i s u r g e r t a s my r e p l y h a s b e e n l o n g
d e l a y e d , and I am "being p r e s s e d by t h e L o c a l A u t h o r i t i e s
d e f i n e my a t t i t u d e .
22.12,20.
to
the
-December 1 0 2 0 .
Tear lord
Burnhan,
On t h e 1 5 t h O c t o b e r
I aotoo?-ledjtred your l e t t e r
t h e 1 3 t h e n o l o s i n g t h e Report of t h e 3 0 t h September of
of
the
S t a n d i n g J o i n t Committee upon S t a n d a r d S c a l e s of S a l a r i e s
T e a c h e r s i n P u b l i c E l e m e n t a r y dohool-Q,, and r e s e r v e d
c o n s i d e r e d r e p l y a s t h e i m p o r t a n c e of t h e m a t t e r
such a
requires,
I - / i l l no'" fe,sk you t o communicate t o t h e Members of t h e
t h e f o l l o w i n g o b s e r v a t i o n s on t h e i r R e p o r t and on t h e
. t o "duoh i t ' 7 i l l give
1,
eituation
Committee
which i s e m p h a s i s e d by t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e
Education A u t h o r i t i e s in t h e i r
l e t t e r to their
Local
constituents,
i t v/as n e c e s s a r y or a t a l l e v e n t s v e r y d e s i r a b l e
to
proceed, beyond t h e p o i n t marked by t h e f o r m u l a t i o n of
P r o v i s i o n a l Minimum S c a l e , t o w a r d s t h e " o r d e r l y and
solution",
Committee
rise,
I do n o t d i s s e n t from t h e view of t h e
that
for
the
progressive
of t h e s a l a r y p r o b l e m i n P u b l i c E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l s ,
Their F i r s t Report, v h i l e securing a
Authorities
w
1
p e r i o d of p e a c e '
for
h i o h a d o p t e d t h e P r o v i s i o n a l Minimum S o a l e ,
left
1$ open t o t h e i n d i v i d u a l A u t h o r i t i e s t o c o n t i n u e o r a d o p t a
higher scale
( t o * hloh a s i m i l a r p e r i o d of p e a c e v o u l d
v
by a g r e e m e n t w i t h t h e i r t e a c h e r s : t h i s l i b e r t y v a n
attach)
indeed
i n h e r e n t i n t h e i d e a of a / p r o v i s i o n a l m i n i m u m ' . I u n d e r s t a n d
that,
on m e r i t s ,
i t *vae t h e vietv of t h e Committee t h a t J u s t
R t , Hon, The V i s c o u n t Burnhara,0.21.
as
i n many l a r g o a r e a s s c a l e s much above t h e P r o v i s i o n a l Minimum
S c a l e a l r e a d y e x i s t e d , so t h e improvement of s a l a r y a o a l a s
c e r t a i n a r e a s *vaa p r o p e r and i n o v i t a b l e .
in
On t h e o t h e r h a n d
t h e p e r i o d o f p e a c e s e c u r e d by t h e a d o p t i o n of t h e F i r s t
Repor
was i n acme c a a e a only a s h o r t o n e , and I g a t h e r t h a t j u s t aa
Board had been imprefiued by t h e g r o a t ' d i f f e r e n c e
between
scale
made b e f o r e t h e Committee was s e t u p , so t h e Committee w e r e
i m p r e s s e d by t h o e m b a r r a s s m e n t which was l i h e l y t o a r i s e
the multiplication
from
of h a p - h a ^ a r d and posBibly p r e c i p i t a t e
s e t t l e m e n t s mads v i t h o u t r e f e r e n c e t o any a c c e p t e d
w i t h o u t any g u i d a n c e from t h e ^ S t a n d i n g J o i n t
standards a
Committee,
Tho p r e s e n t H e p o r t of t h o Committee e n d e a v o u r s
afford
loca
to
such g u i d a n c e and a t t a c h e s t o s e t t l e m e n t s e f f e c t e d
t h e a p p r o v a l of t h e Committee a
1 s t A p r i l 1025*
1
p e r i o d of p o a c o
1
r/itl
p r o l o n g e d tt
In t h o i n t e r e s t s of e d u c a t i o n t h i s
prolongatil
i s a g r e a t a d v a n t a g e . Tho R e p o r t a l s o recommends t h e " a d o p t i o n
cf a minimum
1
c a n y over'
thr^o financial
from o l d t o new s c a l e s s u r e a d
over
years.
I o b s e r v e t h a t t h o Committee u n d e r t o n e " i t h i n
six
!
m o n t h s of t h e d a t e of t h e i r R e p o r t * i , o . b e f o r e
3 l s t March
1 9 2 1 , t o " s e t t l e and p u b l i s h G S c h e d u l e showing t h e
"Scale
which i s ,
in t h e i r opinion, a p p r o p r i a t e ' t o
Standard
e a c h Local
" E d u c a t i o n A u t h o r i t y , due r e g a r d b e i n g had t o A g r e e m e n t s
"ed a t u n d e r S e c t i o n s 16 and 17 cf t h i s
Report."
Those S e c t i o n s c o n t e m p l a t e t h o m a k i n g , w i t h i n
m o n t h s of t h e d a t e of t h e R e p o r t , i e ,
t
*rri
before the 31st
four
Januar
i n e a c h a r e a of p r o v i s i o n a l a g r e e m e n t s " a s t o w h i c h S t a n d a r d Si
is a p p r o p r i a t e to the a r e a " , the n o t i f i c a t i o n
of s u c h
local
a g r e e m e n t s to t h e C o m m i t t e e , and t h e
provisional
M
a g r e e m e n t or o t h e r w i s e "
c c n f i r m a t i o n of
after
every such
full consideration
t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s of t h e L o c a l E d u c a t i o n A u t h o r i t i e s
Teachers
of
and
concerned.
W h i l e t h o a d o p t i o n of a S t a n d a r d S c a l o i s n e t t r e a t e d
as
o b l i g a t o r y b e f o r e t h e e x p i r a t i o n of t h e moratorium, s e c u r e d under
the arrangements cf the F i r s t Report,
the Authorities'
p a r t l y I i m a g i n e i n o r d e r t o a v o i d an i n t e r v a l of
Panel,
controversy,
appeal t o A u t h o r i t i e s g e n e r a l l y to a d e p t Standard S c a l e s without
delay,
and S t a n d a r d S c a l e s c o n f i r m e d , by t h e Committee a r c t o t a k e
effect
a s from a d a t e n o t l a t e r
than 1st April 1921.
So f a r a s t h e R e p o r t r e s t s
on t h e g e n e r a l viow t h a t
p r o g r e s s t o w a r d s t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of t h e t e a c h i n g p r o f e s s i o n
a sound b a s i s
i s most l i k e l y t o be a c h i e v e d ,
i s most l i k e l y
command t h e s u p p o r t c f p u b l i c o p i n i o n ' ( c n which p r o g r e s s
last
if
it
resort depends),
and i s l e a s t l i k e l y t o p r o v o k e
i s ;i.ade *per gradual' and n o t
!
p e r s a l turn ,
1
t c .r.e by my own e x p e r i e n c e cf a f f a i r s
difficulties
it
reaction,
While I do n o t
dispute
in the
disposed to look a t
s e r i e s o f s c a l e s , w h i c h h a s now b e e n c o m p l e t e d by t h e
of S c a l e 1 , ,
the
formulation
a s i n d i c a t i n g a s a r u l e t h e n e x t Btep which s h o u l d b e
t a k e n i n t h e s e v e r a l a r e a s , where any c h a n g e i s
It
in t h e
i s commanded
t h e n e c e s s i t y of a c U i t t i n g - soj-'-e m e a s u r e of e l a s t i c i t y
I m
to
and knowledge of t h e
of t h e p r e s e n t s i t u a t i o n .
m e t h o d s cf a p p l y i n g t h o S c a l e s ,
on
is obvious,
necessary.
a s you p o i n t o u t , t h a t t h i s R e p o r t
' l e a v e s t i e Committee " a c o n s i d e r a b l e p a r t t o p l a y i n t h e
of g i v i n g e f f o c t
process
t o t h e R e p o r t a n d a c o n s i d e r a b l e s h a r e of
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for
i t s accomplishment",
and you e x p r e s s
own o p i n i o n , w h i c h i s e n t i t l e d t o g r e a t r e s p e c t ,
Ccr^ittee is,
still
t h r o u g h i t s c o n s t i t u t i o n and tire
which i t h a s developed,
that
your
the
equalities
w e l l s u i t e d to perform t h e t a s k which
-3
i t s t i l l has to
1
face.
I a c c e p t t h i s v i e w , h o t h as r e g a r d s t h e q u a l i t y of
the
c a p a c i t y by a c o n t i n u a n c e of i t s work t o
COiiunittee and i t s
c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e c o n s o l i d a t i o n of t h e p u b l i c s y s t e m of
education.
I r e g a r d t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a C04Bs.ittee o r
CoiKLittees of t h i s k i n d a s a n a t u r a l d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e
e s t a b l i s h e d by t h e Act of 1 9 0 2 ,
system!
and a s h e l p i n g t o c l o s e up thl
gap b e t w e e n t h e numerous L o c a l A u t h o r i t i e s and t h e
Central
Authority,
I t h e r e f o r e a& s i n c e r e l y a n x i o u s t h a t t h e C o m i . i t t e e
c o n t i n u e i n e x i s t e n c e and s h o u l d c o n t i n u e t o o p e r a t e :
I feel
i t my d u t y t o q u a l i f y
a c c e p t a n c e of t h e R e p o r t ,
should!
a n d thol
i n s e v e r a l r e s p e c t s ir$r g e n e r a l
I should g r e a t l y r e g r e t i f I were
d e p r i v e d of t h e C o m m i t t e e ' s a s s i s t a n c e i n t h e s o l u t i o n of an
extremely d i f f i c u l t
problem.
The Committee and i t s c o n s t i t u e n t s w i l l r e c o g n i z e t h a i
b o t h p r e s s a t c o n d i t i o n s and f u t u r e p r o s p e c t s a f f o r d g r o u n d s foa
g r a v e a n x i e t y a s t o t h e f i n a n c i a l p o s i t i o n of t h e C o u n t r y ,
at all
e v e n t s for g r e a t c a u t i o n
i n t h e a c c e p t a n c e of
t h e e x t e n t of w h i c h i s n o t a s c e r t a i n a b l e .
system of g r a n t s
was r e s p o n s i b l e ,
Under t h e
i n a i d of E l e m e n t a r y E d u c a t i o n ,
the contributions
or
ccurdtmenl
present
for which 1
of t h e S t a t e a r c r e l a t e d
tl
a n d d e t e r m i n e d by t h e e x p e n d i t u r e of t h e L o c a l E d u c a t i o n Authoi
ies.
T h e r e i s now a f i n a n c i a l p a r t n e r s h i p b e t w e e n t h e S t a t e ai
the Local A u t h o r i t i e s
of q u i t e a d i f f e r e n t
n a t u r e from t h a t wfc
e x i o t e d when t h e e x p a n s i o n of l o c a l e x p e n d i t u r e d i d n o t
w i t h i t an e x p a n s i o n of
carry
grants.
I f t h e R e p o r t of t h e C o A a i t t e e i s a c t o d u p o n ,
it will
b e p o s s i b l e f o r anyone t o e s t i m a t e f o r some t i m e t o come,
provisionally,
the cost
to a l l t h e Local. A u t h o r i t i e s
a g g r e g a t e of t h e a d o p t i o n of S t a n d a r d S c a l e s ,
not
even
in t h e
nor t h e c o s t
to
O
the Exchequer.
7.
If effect
i s to he given to the f i n a n c i a l
relations
b e t w e e n t h e B o a r d and t h e L o c a l E d u c a t i o n A u t h o r i t i e s
p l a t e d by t h e A c t o^ 1 9 1 8 , i t i s
fiss^fttial
contem­
t h a t arrangements
to
m e e t i n c r e a s e d e x p e n d i t u r e s h o u l d bo c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e p r o s e n ­
t a t l c n of p r o p e r and r e l i a b l e e s t i m a t e s t o P a r l i a m e n t ,
It
is
n o t p o s s i b l e t o c o n t e m p l a t e t h e c o n t i n u a n c e of a s i t u a t i o n
whioh
imposes' upon t h e B o a r d t h e o h o i c o b e t w e e n e s t i m a t e s w h i c h may
prove i n s u f f i c i e n t
subsequent
t h r o u g h n o t a l l o w i n g for t h e independent and
a c t i o n of Looal E d u c a t i o n A u t h o r i t i e s ,
s p e c u l a t i v e e s t i m a t e s allowing for the p o s s i b i l i t y
action,'
and
of 3uch
A p a r t from, t h e i s s u e s r a i s e d by t h i s R e p o r t , I have bean
convinced t h a t d i f f e r e n t
arrangements for
t h e s u b m i s s i o n of
e s t i m a t e s by t h e L o c a l E d u c a t i o n A u t h o r i t i e s a r e n e o e s s a r y ,
t h a t I may n o t h a v e t o a s k t h e C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r
i n c l u d e i n t h e B o a r d s e s t i m a t e s a sum d e s i g n e d t o
1
so
to
cover
u n a s c e r t a i n e d and u n a s c e r t a i n a b l e i n o r e a s e i n t h e e x p e n d i t u r e
Local A u t h o r i t i e s ,
b*
A p a r t from t h e q u e s t i o n of e s t i m a t e s , I m u s t c o n f e s s
that
t h e " t i m e - t a b l e " embodied i n t h e R e p o r t a p p e a r s t o me much
too h u r r i e d .
If
t h e Committee a r e , a s I a s s u m e i s
intended,
t o c o n s i d e r t h e l o o a l p r o v i s i o n a l a g r e e m e n t s a s components of
a n a t i o n a l s y s t e m and. n o t m e r e l y t o r e g i s t e r
th&m, and a r e
c o n s t r u c t an a p p r o p r i a t e S c h e d u l e c o v e r i n g e v e r y a r e a i n
" ' Country,
-function
I do n o t s e e how t h e y can p o s s i b l y p e r f o r m
of a p p r o v i n g " o r o t h e r w i s e " p r o p o s e d s c a l e s
- \ a s s i g n i n g s c a l e s where none a r e proposed,
p r e h e n s i v e r e v i e w of a l l
the
the
and
e x c e p t on a com­
t h e m a t e r i a l and of t h e
representa­
t i o n s of L o $ a l E d u c a t i o n A u t h o r i t i e s and l o c a l b o d i e s
B.
to
of
of
T e a c h e r s . A p i e c e m e a l c o n s t r u c t i o n of a S c h e d u l e seems t o
me i n c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e a i m s of t h e Committee.
Greater
care in assigning a p p r o p r i a t e Scales i s required as
I I I and IV. a r e a p p r o a c h e d ,
s i g n i n g S c a l e s I and I I .
Scales
and t h o u g h t h e p r o c e s s o f a s ­
to the a r e a s i n which s a l a r i e s
l o w e s t may be l e s s l a b o r i o u s ,
be e f f e c t e d w i t h o u t c a r e f u l
a comprehensive r e v i e v
are
cannot
s t u d y of a l l t h e m a t e r i a l
cir­
cumstancea,
Further,
I c a n n o t f a i r l y commit t h e C h a n c e l l o r o f
t h e E x c h e q u e r i n a m a t t e r of s u c h l a r g e f i n a n c i a l
w i t h o u t c a r e f u l c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e r e s u l t s of
l a b o u r s , and i t
left
is therefore
importance
t h e Committee
e s s e n t i a l t h a t time s h o u l d b e
f o r t h e B o a r d to s t u d y t h e c o n c l u s i o n s of t h e Committee
and t o r e v i e w them a s a w h o l e , and t o communicate t h e i r o b ­
s e r v a t i o n s t o t h e C o m m i t t e e , and i f n e c e s s a r y t o d i s c u s s thorn
w i t h the Committee.
I t i s q u i t e p o s s i b l e t h a t by
interchange
of v i e w s a t c o n v e n i e n t s t a g e s t h e r i s k of p r o n o u n c e d
g e n c e of v i e w s may be m i n i m i s e d ,
diver­
and I s h o u l d be g l a d
to
sanction arrangements f o r c o - o p e r a t i o n between the B o a r d s
T
officers
and t h e Committee,
able to the
i f s u c h a c o u r s e would be a g r e e ­
Committee.
On c e r t a i n p o i n t s a f f e c t i n g
t h e o p e r a t i o n of
s c a l e s I f e e l bound to make r e s e r v a t i o n s .
commit m y s e l f , w i t h o u t f u r t h e r
e e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r ,
I cannot a t
consultation w i t h the
to r e c o g n i z i n g for the
the
presen
Chan­
calculation
of g r a n t i n c r e a s e d s a l a r y e x p e n d i t u r e i n c u r r e d by L o c a l Edu­
cation Authorities,
a s from a d a t e so e a r l y a s 1 s t A p r i l 1 9 2 1
t h r o u g h t h e o p e r a t i o n of s t a n d a r d s c a l e s
c o u p l e d w i t h so
s h o r t a c a r r y - o v e r a s t h e B e p o r t c o n t e m p l a t e s , and s t i l l
less
can I commit m y s e l f
attributable
expenditure
t o any a c c e l e r a t i o n of t h e c a r r y - o v e r
i n the R e p o r t .
until,
t o r e c o g n i t i o n of i n c r e a s e d
specified
On t h e s e p o i n t s I m u s t r e s e r v e a d e c i s i o n
i n t h e r e s u l t o f my r e v i e w cf
the Committee's
mentioned in the preceding paragraph,
a n i d e a of t h e f i n a n c i a l
recommendations.
i n t h e House of
effect
conclusions
i t is possible
to
c f t h e a d o p t i o n of tho
form
Committee 8
1
I h a v e a l r e a d y i n t i m a t e d i n r e p l y to a q u e s t i o n
Commons t h a t w h e r e , s i n c e t h e i s s u e of t h e R e p o r t ,
improved o r s t a n d a r d s c a l e s h a v e , b e e n a d o p t e d
to take e f f e c t before
their
locally
c o n f i r m a t i o n by t h e
I cannot, a t a l l events u n t i l
Committee,
they have been considered
components o f t h e c o m p r e h e n s i v e s c h e d u l e w h i c h i s
as
contemplated,
commit t h e B o a r d to p a y g r a n t i n r e s p e c t of a n y a d d i t i o n a l
penditure incurred;
ex­
and m o r e o v e r t h a t I c a n n o t i n any c a s e ,
a n d w h a t e v e r t h e d a t e a t w h i c h an improved s c a l e w a s a d o p t e d ,
commit t h e Board t o t h e payment of g r a n t on t h e b a s i s o f h i g h e r
e x p e n d i t u r e i n any a r e a t h a n t h a t
of S c a l e
involved by the
IV,
As r e g a r d s t h e S c a l e s t h e m s e l v e s ,
e x c e p t i o n to the f i g u r e s ,
c a n n o t commit m y s e l f
the areas t i l l
Schedule.
talse
I
t o t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n of t h e S c a l e s among
I have been a b l e to review the
I welcome, m o r e o v e r ,
Committee s
!
the prospect of checking
The r e d u c t i o n of
the
the
t o a r e a s o n a b l e number of S t a n d a r d S c a l e s w i l l
greatly facilitate
consolidation
justified
I do n o t
though, a s I have s a i d above,
b e w i l d e r i n g v a r i e t y of l o c a l s c a l e s .
varieties
adoption
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n and conduce t o
of t h e t e a c h i n g s e r v i c e .
in refusing
the
I should not
feel
t o r e c o g n i s e e x i s t i n g s c a l e s on t h e
g r o u n d t h a t t h e y do n o t conform t o S t a n d a r d S c a l e s , b u t w h e r e
a change of a l o c a l s c a l e
is necessary I think that
s h o u l d be i n t h e d i r e c t i o n of
the Standard S c a l e s .
it
conformity to one or o t h e r
I will not anticipate
the extent
of
to
w h i c h f o r t h e p u r p o s e s of t h e B o a r d ' s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n I ma/
( s u b j e c t of c o u r s e t o t h e s u i t a b l e a s s i g n m e n t of s o c l e s
ireRe) i n v e s t t h e s e S c a l e s w i t h on o f f i o i a l
chiraotsr,
tc^
"but
ray d i s p o s i t i o n i s t o m-ike $a f u l l u s e of t h e n a s i s
"
practicable'.
I n c o n c l u s i o n - , l e t me e x p l a i n ti^iin
my s e n s e of
3o:?.rd's o b l i g a t i o n t o t h e Members of t h e Committee f o r
the
t i m e ond t r o u b l e and l a b o u r w h i c h t h e y h a v e u n g r u d g i n g l y
to the publio service in t h i s important matter.
J u s been a d i f f i c u l t
o n e ; i t h a s made g r e a t demands on
p e r s i s t e n c e and endurance,
a full
Their
their
with
They have t h e
s a t i s f a c t i o n of h a v i n g i n a r e m a r k a b l e s h o r t t i m e b o t h
t h e ground for
given
task
r,nd t h e y h a v e a c t e d t h r o u , ; i o u t
s e n s e of t h e i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y ,
the
cleared
t h e a t t a c k , o n t h i s p r o b l e m ?.nd made a c o n s i d e r ­
a b l e advance i n i t s s o l u t i o n .
Whatever t h e u l t i m a t e i s s u e of
t h e i r p i o n e e r l a b o u r s may b o , t h e i r
c o n t r i b u t i o n to
the
d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e p u b l i c s y s t e m of e d u o a t i o n h a s b e e n
substantial.
.0
u t
y
BOARD OF EDUCATION,
REPORT
OF THE
S T A N D I N G
J O I N T
C O M M I T T E E
REPRESENTATIVE OF
T H E COUNTY COUNCILS ASSOCIATION, T H E MUNICIPAL
CORPORATIONS ASSOCIATION, T H E ASSOCIATION O F EDUCATION
COMMITTEES AND T H E LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL, AND O F
T H E NATIONAL UNION O F T E A C H E R S
ON
S T A N D A R D
O F
S A L A R I E S
P U B L I C
PUBLISHED
S C A L E S
F O R
T E A C H E R S
E L E M E N T A R Y
I N
S C H O O L S .
LONDON:
BY H I S MAJESTY'S STATIONERY
OFFICE.
To be purchased through any Bookseller or directly from
H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses:
-
IMPERIAL HOUSE, KINGSWAY, LONDON, W.C. 2, and 28, ABINGDON STREET, LONDON, S.W.
37, PETER STREET, MANCHESTER; 1, ST. ANDREW'S CRESCENT, CARDIFF;
23, FORTH STREET, E DINBURGH;
or from E. PONSONBY, LTD., 116, GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN!
1;
1920.
Price 2d. Net.
The estimated cost of the preparation of the appended Report (so far as it is chargeable to Votes
of Parliament) is £249 7s. 3d., of which £58 represents the gross cost of the printing and publishing of
this Report.
R E P O R T BY T H E STANDING J O I N T COMMITTEE ON STANDARD
SCALES O F SALARIES FOR T E A C H E R S IN PUBLIC E L E M E N T A R Y
SCHOOLS.
To the
RIGHT HON.
THE
BOARD OF
PRESIDENT
OF
THE
EDUCATION.
Sir,
i. At the meeting on the 12th August, 1919, of the constituent Committee
representing Associations of Local Education Authorities and the National Union
of Teachers, it was resolved inter
alia—
That it is desirable to provide a central organisation, representative of Local
Education Authorities and Teachers, to secure the orderly and progressive solution
of the salary problem in Public Elementary Schools by agreement, on a national
basis, and its correlation with a solution of the salary problem in Secondary Schools;
That for this purpose a Standing Joint Committee of representatives of Local
Education Authorities on the one side, and the National Union of Teachers on the
other, in equal numbers should be constituted ;
That for any resolution of the Committee the consent of both sides of the
Committee should be required.
2. In their first report dated 21st November, 1919, the Standing Joint Committee
presented for adoption a Provisional Minimum Scale, and later completed this in
one particular by a Supplementary Report dated 24th June, 1920, upon the salaries
of Teachers of Handicraft.
As the next step in the orderly and progressive solution of the problem the
Committee have framed three Standard Scales, II., III. and IV., above the Provisional
Minimum Scale. Pending the framing of Standard Scale I. the Provisional Minimum
Scale retains its position. Standard Scale I. will be framed by the Committee not
later than 1st J a n u a r y 1921. The Scales, together with the conditions governing
their application, are set out below.
SCALES FOR CERTIFICATED
TEACHERS.
3. (a) Certificated Assistant Teachers, Two Years College Trained :—
MEN.
SCALES
SCALES..
Minimum.
Provisional Minimum Scale (see")
& Committee's Report of 21st )!f November, 1919)
­
-J
Standard Scale II.
Standard Scale III.
Standard Scale IV.
£
s.
WOMEN.
Annual
Annual
Maximum. Minimum.
Maximum.
Increment.
Increment.
£
£
s.
s.
£
s.
£
s.
£
s.
160 0
10 0 '
300 0
150 0
10 0
240 0
172 10
182 10
200 0
12 10
12 10
12 10
340 0
380 0
425 0
160 0
170 0
187 10
12 10
12 10
12 10
272 0
304 0
340 0
(b) There shall be added to the Minimum—.
(i) one increment for Certificated Teachers who either have
a three years' continuous period of training or are graduates of
University;
(ii) two increments for Certificated Teachers who are graduates
Universities, and have also completed a four years' continuous
training.
completed
a British
of British
period of
(c) For other Certificated Assistant Teachers, except as provided in Section
14 of this Report, the Minimum shall be less than that stated in (a) above by
the amount of one increment in each case, the maximum remaining unaltered.
(d) Married Teachers—
In cases in which a husband and wife, both being Certificated Teachers,
have been appointed or are appointed to posts in the same school or
department, and where the requirements of the Board of Education as to
starring can be met by the appointment of an Assistant Teacher who is not
Certificated, the salary of the husband (if he be the Assistant Teacher) or
of the wife (if she be the Assistant Teacher) shall be that attaching to the
status of the Assistant Teacher required.
SCALES FOR CERTIFICATED H E A D
TEACHERS.
4. (a) For the purpose of Head Teachers' Salaries schools shall be graded
according to average attendance thus :—
GRADE
GRADE
I.—Not over 100 in average attendance.
II.—Over 100 b u t not over 200 in average attendance.
GRADE I I I . ­
200
,,
,,
350
,,
,,
500
GRADE
IV.­
,, 350
GRADE
V.­
,,500
(6) An Assistant Teacher on appointment to a Head Teachership, and a Head
Teacher on promotion to a higher grade, shall have his or her existing salary increased
by a promotion increment per grade of School as follows :—-
Scales.
PROVISIONAL MINIMUM
S T A N D A R D S C A L E II.
SCALE
Men,
per grade of School,
Women,
per grade of School.
£
£
20*
15*
15
20
­
­
20
STANDARD SCALE
III.
-
STANDARD SCALE
IV.
-
-
-
25
20
25
(c) Annual Increments for Head TeachersProvisional Minimum Scale
Other Scales
-
£12 10 0
£15 0 0
(d) Maxima for Head Teachers—
GRADE I.
GRADE II.
GRADE I I I .
GRADE IV.
GRADE V.
SCALES
SCALES..
Men. Women. Men. Women. Men. Women. Men. Women. Men. Women.
Provisional Minimum
Scale. '
Standard Scale I I .
Standard Scale I I I .
Standard Scale IV.
1
33of
374
418
467-1
£
£
264!
300 '
335
374
360
408
456
510
£
£
288
390
328
366
408
442
494
552l
'
£
£
312
420
356
397
442
476
532
595
.
£
336
384
428
476
£
450
510
570
637-I
-
£
360
412
459
510
* In Schools with an average attendance not exceeding 40 under the Provisional Minimum Scale
the Promotion Increment is £10.
f In Schools with an average attendance not exceeding 40 under the Provisional Minimum Scale
the maximum is £315 for men and £252 10s. for women respectively.
as
(37)12536
W t 10047-1628A/263
12,000
10/20
A 2
SCALES
FOR UNCERTIFICATED
TEACHERS.
5. (a) Uncertificated Assistant T e a c h e r s ­
MEN.
WOMEN.
Maximum.
SCALES.
Provisional Minimum
Scale.
Standard Scale II.
Standard Scale I I I . Standard Scale IV. -
Annual
Incrc- Appointed Appointed
before
ment. on or after
ist April, 1st April,
Minimum.
£
Maximum.
s.
100 0
103 10
109 10
120 0
1914.
1914.
£
£
£ s.
6 0
150
160
180
200
7 10
7 10
7 10
Mini­
mum.
Annual
Incre- Appointed Appointed
before
ment. on or after
ist April, ist April,
1914.
£
90
180
204
228
255
96
102
. 112
1914.
6 0
£
£
140
7 10
7 10
7 10
150
160
170
150
164
182
204
£
8.
(b) Uncertificated Head Teachers—
An Uncertificated Teacher on appointment as a Head Teacher shall
receive a promotion increment of £10, and shall proceed by annual increments
of £y 10s. to a maximum which shall in Scales II., III. and IV. exceed the
maximum for Uncertificated Assistant Teachers by £20 in the case of men
and £15 in the case of women.
TEACHERS
OF SPECIAL
SUBJECTS.
6. (a) Domestic Science Mistresses holding a diploma or diplomas of a
recognised training school covering Cookery, Laundry, and Housewifery, shall be
placed on the same Scale as two years College-trained Certificated Assistant
Mistresses; teachers already recognised by the Board of Education and holding
a diploma of a recognised training school, but who have not qualified in the three
subjects, to be placed on the same scale.
(b) Other recognised Domestic Science Mistresses shall be placed on the same
Scale &s other Certificated Assistant Mistresses.
(c) Teachers of Domestic Subjects holding the Teacher's Certificate of the
Board of Education shall be placed on the corresponding Scale for Certificated
Assistant Teachers.
(d) A teacher of Handicraft who holds the Elementary School Teacher's
Certificate of the Board of Education and a diploma in Handicraft recognised by
the Board of Education shall be graded as a Certificated Assistant Teacher,
two years College-trained.
(e) A teacher of Handicraft who does not hold the Elementary School Teacher's
Certificate of the Board of Education but holds a diploma in Handicraft recognised
by the Board of Education;
(i) If appointed before ist April, 1914, shall be graded as a Certificated
Assistant Teacher not College-trained.
(ii) If appointed on or after ist April, 1914, but before ist January,
1921, shall, if recognised by the Board as an Uncertificated Teacher or upon
obtaining such recognition, be graded as a Certificated Assistant Teacher
not College-trained.
(iii) If the case does not fall under either (i) or (ii) of this section shall
be graded as an Uncertificated Teacher.
TEACHERS
IN
DAY
SPECIAL
SCHOOLS.
7. Assistant Teachers in Day Special Schools, including Blind and Deaf Schools,
shall receive one increment more than they would have received in Public Elementary
Schools and shall proceed to the same maximum. Head Teachers of such Special
Schools with an average attendance not exceeding 40 shall be placed on the Grade I.
scale, of Schools with an average attendance over 40 but not exceeding 100 shall
be placed on Grade I I . scale, and of Schools with an average attendance over 100
and not exceeding 200 shall be placed on the Grade I I I . scale, and similarly for other
Grades.
*
GRADING
AND RE-GRADING OF
SCHOOLS.
8. All grading and re-grading of existing schools for the purposes of this Report,
shall be determined by reference to the average attendance calculated on the average
of the preceding three financial years; provided that—
(1) If, owing to causes beyond the control of the existing Head Teacher
such average is found to be below the minimum of the grade within which
the School would otherwise be placed at the time of the first or subsequent
grading under these Scales, the Head Teacher shall not be thereby prejudiced
as regards grade salary, increments or maximum.
(2) If such average is found to be above the maximum of the grade in
which the school is so placed, the Local Education Authority may :—
(i) Promote the existing Head Teacher to a higher grade; or
(ii) At the request of the existing Head Teacher, continue him in his post
at the same emoluments in respect of salary, increments, and
maximum, as if the School had not risen in grade ; or
(iii) Declare a vacancy in the post of Head Teacher and consider the
existing Head Teacher in competition with other applicants for
appointment to the post.
CARRY-OVER.
9. All Teachers shall be brought to their correct positions on the Standard
Scale adopted by the Authority in the following manner :—
(a) As and from the date of the introduction of the Standard Scale any
payment due under previous scales, whether by way of Carry-over or of
Increment, shall cease to be due.
(6) The correct position of the Teacher on the Standard Scale adopted
shall be the position which that Teacher would have reached on the date of the
introduction of such scale by the Authority had that scale been in force
throughout his or her term of service, wherever rendered, full allowance
being made for any service with the Forces of the Crown.
(c) In the case of Head Teachers, the correct position on the Standard
Scale adopted shall be ascertained by adding to the minimum of t h a t scale for
Assistant Teachers, for each complete year of service as an Assistant Teacher,
one increment on the scale applying to t h a t service, u p to the maximum of that
scale, plus one scale increment for each complete year of service as Head
Teacher, together with the appropriate promotion increment, provided that
the maximum salary of the Grade on the scale is not exceeded.
.
(d) The difference between the correct Scale position and the salary,
subject to (a) above, on the existing scale at the date of the introduction
of the Standard Scale shall be ascertained, and the minimum " carry-over "
shall be as follows :—
(i) The said difference shall be divided into Three Parts, viz. : a First
Part which shall be one half of the said difference, and Second and
Third Parts each of which shall be one quarter of the said difference.
. (ii) The First Part shall be paid as part of the salary due on and from the
date of the introduction of the Standard Scale.
(iii) The Second and Third Parts shall accrue on the first and second
anniversaries respectively of the introduction of the Standard
Scale.
(dv) On the date on which annual increments normally accrue under the
Authority, an increment shall, subject to any regulations of the
Authority, accrue under the Standard Scale adopted, and thereafter
annually until the maximum of the scale is reached.
(v) The annual increment is independent
increments provided for in (i), (ii) and
no increase shall be granted by way
increment which will bring a teacher
position on the Standard Scale.
of and additional to the
(iii) of this Subsection, but
of carry-over or of annual
beyond his or her correct
(e) Nothing in this Report is intended to preclude an Authority from
dealing specially, for the purposes of the " Carry-over," with the case of a
teacher whose service has been declared to be unsatisfactory and continues
t o ' b e so regarded, provided always that no teacher shall be penalised in
respect of years of satisfactory service.
GENERAL
Condition
of
CONDITIONS.
Increments.
10. No increment shall be withheld in respect of any year unless the service
for that year has been declared unsatisfactory by the Local Education Authority
or Education Committee, but the effect of this shall be limited to one year unless the
Local Education Authority or the Education Committee otherwise determine.
i i . Any bonus paid during the financial year in which a Standard Scale comes
into force shall be deemed a payment under the Standard Scale.
Date of
Application.
12. A Standard Scale adopted for any area shall come into operation on a date
to be stated in the Provisional Agreement mentioned in Section 16 below, subject
to the confirmation mentioned in Section 17 below, and any increments falling due
on or after t h a t date shall in amount be as provided under the Standard Scale.
Date of Increments,
1
13. Each Authority may follow its present procedure as regards the date of
payment of annual increments.
Payments
in excess of the
Scale.
14. Nothing in the Standard Scales shall be held to limit the discretion of the
Authority to make additional payments (a) for a period of College Training less
than two years, (b) for special qualifications, (c) to Women Teachers holding posts
of special responsibility in large mixed Schools, or (d) for similar reasons.
EFFECT
UPON THE PROVISIONAL
MINIMUM SCALE.
*
15. Nothing in the Standard Scales or in the conditions attaching to them shall
affect the provisions of the Report of 21st November, 1919, upon the Provisional
Minimum Scale, including the arrangements set out in Section 15 of that Report.
ALLOCATION
OF THE STANDARD
SCALES TO T H E
SEVERAL
AREAS.
16. Every Local Education Authority is invited by the Committee to confer
with the Teachers in its area with a view to a Provisional Agreement as to which
Standard Scale is appropriate to the area, and on such Provisional Agreement being
reached: to notify the Standing Joint Committee accordingly. Such notification
should be given within four months from the date of the issue of this Report.
17. The Committee shall consider every such Provisional Agreement and confirm
it or Otherwise, and for that purpose they may have before them representations
from the Local Education Authority and the Teachers, and they shall not come to
any decision contrary to an Agreement without having asked for and considered
such representations.
18. Within six months from the date of issue of this Report the Committee
shall settle and publish a Schedule showing the Standard Scale which is, in their
7
ft
opinion, appropriate to each Local Education Authority, due regard, being had to
Agreements arrived at under Sections 16 and 17 of this Report. ,
:
EXISTING
SCALES.
19. No Scale in operation on the date of the issue of this Report shall be reduced
by reason of anything contained in this Report.
CHANGE
OF SCALES.
'i
20. Any Local Education Authority may, a t any time, in agreement with its
Teachers, and with the consent of the Standing Joint Committee, proceed from one
Standard Scale to another, provided nevertheless that no Local Education Authority
outside the " London Area " as denned in Section 25 below, shall adopt Scale IV.
unless such adoption is confirmed by the Standing Joint Committee.'
21. The Standing Joint Committee, and each Panel of it (i,e., the representatives
of the County Councils Association, the Municipal Corporations Association, the
Association of Education Committees and the London County Council, and the
representatives of the National Union of Teachers respectively), shall exert their
best influence to prevent the adoption or change of a Scale by any Local Education
Authority contrary to the opinion or decision of the Committee, and the Committee
may, if necessary, make representations to the Board of Education concerning such
action by any Local Education Authority.
22. If after i s t April, 1921, the datum figure of the cost of living as certified
by the Board of Trade reaches 170 per cent, over pre-war costs and remains not less
than t h a t for a period of 6 months subsequent to the afore-mentioned date, it shall
be open to the Chairman of the Standing Joint Committee, on the application of
either Panel to call the Committee together for the purpose of adjusting the Standard
Scales of Salaries to meet such abnormal economic conditions for such time as the
abnormality has existed or may continue to exist, b u t any payment under such
adjustment shall not be made before i s t April, 1922.
23. Any disagreement between a Local Education Authority and its Teachers
on the subject of the adoption, change or interpretation of a Salary Scale shall be
referred to the decision of the Standing Joint Committee at the instance either of the
Authority or of the Executive of the National Union of Teachers.
MINIMUM
DURATION
OF STANDARD
SCALES.
24. The provisions of Section 15 of the Committee^ Report of the 21st November,
1919, as to the abstention from pressure by Teachers upon Local Education
Authorities shall be extended until the i s t April, 1925, in the case of. Authorities
which adopt Standard Scales appropriate to their respective areas to take effect as
and from a date not later t h a n i s t April, 1921; except t h a t the arrangements
already made with the concurrence of the Standing Joint Committee between the
London County Council and the Teachers in their area shall, as agreed, hold good
for three years as from the i s t April, 1920, and that, if a new scale of salaries be
agreed between the Authorities in t h e " London Area," as defined below, and their
Teachers, to operate on or after i s t April, 1923, it shall be subject to ratification
by the Committee and shall,hold good until i s t April, 1925; provided t h a t a
decision of a majority of representatives of the areas constituting the " L o n d o n
Area," appointed on a basis, and following a procedure t o b e determined by the
Standing Joint Committee, shall.be deemed to be the decision for all'such areas.
25. The " L o n d o n A r e a " shall b e the areas, wholly or partly within the
Metropolitan Police District, of such Local Education Authorities as shall arrive at
a Provisional Agreement (as defined in Section 16 of this Report) with their
Teachers t h a t Standard Scale IV. is the appropriate Scale for the whole of their
respective areas; provided t h a t if the Local Education Authority and the Teachers
of any area fail to reach such an agreement within a period of six months from the
date of issue of this Report, the Committee shall settle and publish the Scale which
in their opinion is appropriate to the Local Education Authority concerned.
26. We have unanimously agreed upon this Report and accordingly now
present it for adoption by all concerned.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servants,
BURNHAM
W.
D.
(Chairman).
CECIL E.
BENTLIFF
BOVILL
A.
F.
CHUBB
G.
H.
E.
R.
CONWAY
J.
L.
HOLLAND
J.
C
HURLE
P.
R.
JACKSON
HARRY
C.
W.
J.
E.
COWARD
CROOK
DOGHERTY
FLORENCE
H.
GATER
MELLISH
DUNN
T.
H.
MORRIS
ALFRED
FLAVELL
C.
G.
WATKINS
WM.
FOLLAND
P.
F.
W.
GOLDSTONE
E.
W.
JONES
J.
H.
LUMBY
EVELINE
Representing
the
)* National
Union of
Teachers.
PHILLIPS
G.
H.
E.
j.
SAINSBURY
A.
A.
SCORRER
T.
SHERRINGTON
A.
THOMAS
JOHN
J.
CHAS.
T.
J.
F.
WOOD
J.
H.
YOXALL
BLAIR
CYRIL
S.
J.
ALSOP
W.
COBB
Representing
the
London
County
Council.
Representing
R. B E A T T I E N I C H O L S O N
the
Association
A. C
COFFIN
f of
Municipal
H . D. S T R U T H E R S
Corporations.
POWELL
ARTHUR
R.
Representing
[the
County
Councils
Association.
WILKINSON
JAMES
GRAHAM
JAMES
WALSH
SPURLEY
WING
F.
J.
GEO.
J.
LESLIE
LUNN
OLDERSHAW
W.
E.
RALEY
PERCIVAL
J
H
^?OXM.L/"
HEY
J^wb
Hon.
Representing
the
Association
[of
Education
Committees.
SHARP
Secretaries.
30th September, 1920.
L E T T E R A D D R E S S E D TO LOCAL EDUCATION A U T H O R I T I E S BY T H E I R
R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S UPON T H E STANDING J O I N T COMMITTEE.
D E A R SIR,
October,
1920.
H E R E W I T H we send you a copy of the Report of the Standing Joint
Committee on Standard Scales of Salaries for Teachers in Public Elementary
Schools. On behalf of the representatives of the Local Education Authorities
on the Committee we desire to draw your attention to the following considerations
which influenced them in joining in the preparation ,and issue of this Report.
The task remitted to the Committee by the President of the Board of
Education was to secure " the orderly and progressive solution of the salary
problem " by agreement, on a national basis.
The issue of the Report dated 21st November, 1919, recommending a Provisional
Minimum Scale was only the first step towards the fulfilment of our task.
Your representatives are glad to learn that every Local Education Authority
in England and Wales whose Scale was previously below the Provisional Minimum
Scale has now raised its Scale to at least the level of t h a t Scale.
The Panel representing your interests on the Committee is, however, con­
vinced t h a t so many Authorities have set up varying Scales above the Provisional
Minimum Scale, and so many others are negotiating new Scales, all tending to foster
the spirit of competition between Local Education Authorities, t h a t a series of
Standard Scales is imperatively necessary, and this Report is the result of their
negotiations to t h a t end with the Teachers' representatives.
Your representatives, recognising the altered economic conditions now prevailing
as compared with those existing in the A u t u m n of 1919 when the Provisional
Minimum Scale Report was prepared, have agreed to join in preparing by the
i s t January, 1921, a Standard Scale I. to take effect from a date not later than
1st April, 1921.
They therefore strongly urge Local Education Authorities to adopt, in agree­
ment with their Teachers, such one of the Standard Scales as is appropriate to
their respective areas, to take effect from a date not later than the i s t April, 1921.
Nothing in the present Report alters the protection given to Education
Authorities which have adopted the Provisional Minimum Scale or a better Scale,
but the adoption of an appropriate Standard Scale, to take effect as and from the
i s t April, 1921, will extend the " period of p e a c e " previously secured until
i s t April, 1925.
Your representatives on the Standing Joint Committee commend this Report
on Standard Scales to your favourable consideration, and will be glad to give any
such further assistance or advice as may be desired.
Yours faithfully,
GEORGE LUNN
(Chairman).
F R A N K J. L E S L I E (Hon.
Secretary).
(Local Education Authorities' Panel of
the Standing Joint Committee).
L E T T E R A D D R E S S E D BY T H E CHAIRMAN O F T H E STANDING J O I N T
COMMITTEE TO T H E P R E S I D E N T O F T H E BOARD O F EDUCATION.
13, Bryanston Square, W.,
DEAR
Mr.
FISHER,
13th
October,
1920.
I N November last I was able to inform you that the Standing Joint
Committee representing Associations of Local Education Authorities and the
National Union of Teachers, which was constituted at your instance and met in
September last year " to secure the orderly and progressive solution of the salary
problem in public elementary schools, by agreement, on a national basis," had
completed the first stage of their work by agreeing upon a Provisional Minimum
Scale of Salaries for Teachers in Public Elementary Schools.
The Report which they then " presented for adoption by all concerned " met
with general acceptance among those Local Education Authorities whose scales
of salary had not yet been adjusted to the conditions of the time. I am informed
t h a t at this moment there is no Authority in whose area the rates of pay are not
at least equivalent to those recommended by the Standing Joint Committee as a
" provisional minimum."
The Report resulted, I am sure, in much benefit to the public service of
education, not only in improving the position of existing teachers and the prospects
offered to candidates for the profession, but also because it marked the first approach
towards a common basis for the treatment of the salary problem. It also led to
the attainment of some degree of regularity in conditions of service in a large
number of areas the differences of which in this respect were embarrasing and
vexations and stood in the way of the consolidation of the profession.
In February of this year the Committee considered whether they ought not
at once to carry their work a stage further by furnishing Local Education
Authorities with guidance in the construction and application of Standard Scales
of salary, which might, even if finality were unattainable, secure a fair settlement
for a substantial period of peace.
In some areas scales of salary considerably above the " provisional minimum "
had been adopted by agreement between the Authorities and their Teachers, or
were contemplated. I n other areas it was recognised t h a t scales above the
minimum were justifiable and appropriate, but no accepted standards, other than
standards mainly competitive, were available by reference to which negotiations
might be conducted, and the parties appeared to be embarrased by uncertainty
and the fear t h a t they might accept less or concede more t h a n a further review
by the Committee of the material circumstances from the general standpoint would
justify. It was indeed, in m y own opinion, most undesirable t h a t the " orderly
and progressive s o l u t i o n " of the salary problem should be prejudiced by the
multiplication of haphazard local settlements.
The application of a single Standard Scale to all areas, whatever their
geographical position, urban or rural character and local economic conditions, was
considered impracticable. The Committee accordingly addressed themselves to the
t
x
12536
B
task of formulating Standard Scales, a task of great inherent difficulty, which was
certainly not lessened by the necessity of dealing expeditiously with a very difficult
situation which had arisen in London.
After thirteen meetings of the full Committee (since the adoption of the
First Report) and numerous meetings of Sub-Committees, the Report which I now
submit to you was unanimously adopted. Owing to the nature of the subject
matter it is necessarily more complex than the First Report. If, as I sincerely
hope will be the case, the Report is generally accepted by the Teachers and the
Authorities, it still leaves to the Standing Joint Committee a considerable part to
play in the process of giving effect to the Report and a considerable share Cf
responsibility for its accomplishment. I do not myself regard this as a defect.
I am sure that no Committee, unless it together' with its constituents were endowed
with supernatural wisdom, could have devised a report on such a subject which
would leave it nothing more to do nor any " loose ends " to be gathered up in the
process of dealing with concrete individual cases. And, indeed, I am so much
impressed by the industry, fairness, and public spirit of the Committee and its
capacity for practicaj affairs, that it would in m y opinion be unfortunate if it did
not remain intimately concerned with the application of the recommendations
which it has made.
There is, I think, general agreement that it has already succeeded in creating
in the country at large a much clearer atmosphere and better temper, and has
largely neutralised, in the province of public education, tendencies which at one
time threatened not only to impair the efficiency of that service but to weaken its
stabilising influence in the critical period of national reconstruction. But on the
men and women who form, the Committee itself the constant interchange of
divergent . or conflicting views and their reconciliation have naturally had a
consolidating effect far greater than can be reflected in the constituencies which
they represent. I have watched the development of the Committee with great
interest and some knowledge of the character and methods of similar bodies. It
was a good body to start with, but it is a much better body now, and I venture
to think t h a t . i t has grown up into an organisation on whose public spirit and
statesmanlike quality you can confidently rely and which is both willing and com­
petent to help you in that development of the public system of education to which
you have set your hand and for which you are responsible. '
I am sure the members of the National Union of Teachers will not misunder­
stand me if I refer particularly to the self-sacrificing and ungrudging spirit in which
the representatives of the Local Education Authorities have devoted themselves
to the arduous work of the Committee. These busy people, already carrying a
heavy burden of responsible public work, have come to London time after time,
many from long distances, determined to " put the business through." If ever
a body of representatives has laboured unremittingly and exhaustingly in the
discharge of its commission it is the Local Authorities' Panel of the Joint Committee.
I am afraid t h a t if similar Panels are to be formed for the consideration of the
salary problem in branches of education not yet touched, they will have to include
a good deal of fresh blood, as some members of the present Panel cannot fairly be
asked to do more. As for the representatives of the Teachers, I will only say that
whilst both in qualities of character and in ability they have worthily maintained
the credit of their profession, they have shown themselves excellent men and
women of business.
To Sir G. Lunn as Chairman and spokesman of the Authorities' Panel, and
to Sir J. Yoxall who doubled the parts of spokesman and Secretary of the Teachers'
Panel, much of the credit of the Cortimittee's work is due. Their qualities of
leadership and good humour and experience as men of affairs have been invaluable.
Mr. Leslie, as Secretary of the Authorities' Panel and as their spokesman on the
Reference Committee, has had both hands full. He has personally conducted a
large, mass of correspondence and has thereby " kept the decks clear " for the
Committee and enabled it to. concentrate on its main business.
/
I enclose herewith a copy of a letter which the Local Authorities' Panel are
' . addressing to their constituents, and I hope you will see your way to give early
publicity to the. Report in such manner as you may think most convenient.
:
1
1
THE
RT.
H. A. L. F I S H E R , M.P.,
Board of Education,
"
Whitehall, S . W . I .
I am,
Yours sincerely,
' BURN HAM
HON.
.
:
L E T T E R FROM T H E P R E S I D E N T O F T H E BOARD O F EDUCATION
TO T H E CHAIRMAN O F T H E STANDING J O I N T COMMITTEE.
Board of Education,
Whitehall, S.W.I,
DEAR LORD BURNHAM,
i$th October, 1920.
I H A V E received your letter of the 13th October, enclosing t h e Report of t h e
Standing Joint Committee upon Standard Scales of Salaries for Teachers in Public
Elementary Schools. I understand that the immediate publication of t h e Report
is desired, and in order that it m a y not be delayed I will not now attempt such a
considered reply as the importance of the matter requires.
It would, however, be ungracious if I did not at once express m y cordial
recognition of the spirit in which the Committee has worked. W h a t you say of it
will be most gratifying t o all t h e friends of Education. I both know and appreciate
what real sacrifices of time and, I am afraid, sometimes of health their work has
entailed upon the members and on their spokesmen and Secretaries. I am very
grateful to them. To yourself, as Chairman, I desire to express my warmest
thanks for your services. There are many demands on your time and energy.
You spend them generously on public work. I n the present case I learn from
many quarters how much your good judgment, tact, and patience, together with
your sincere interest in the subject matter, have furthered t h e work of the Joint
Committee. I am sure your time has not been wasted in endeavouring to promote
the welfare of one of the most important branches of t h e public service.
Yours sincerely,
H. A. L. F I S H E R .
THE
RT.
HON.
VISCOUNT
BURNHAM,
C.H.
Printer) u n d e r t h e a u t h o r i t y of H i s MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE
B y E y r e a n d Spottiswoode, L t d . , E a s t H a r d i n g Street, E . O . 4,
Printers t o t h e King's most Excellent Majesty