§ MR. MACFARLANE (Argyll)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to the grievance of school teachers in Scotland who are liable to dismissal by Local Boards without appeal; and whether he proposes to take any steps to remedy the possibility of harsh and unjust treatment?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. TREVELYAN, Glasgow, Bridgeton)The School Boards are primarily responsible for the efficiency of the schools under their charge, and that responsibility necessarily involves the power of dismissing teachers, nor does any appeal which has been suggested appear likely to work satisfactorily. The Public Schools (Scotland) Teachers' Act 1882, imposed a course of procedure which, to a certain extent, protects teachers against capricious action by certain safeguards which 'do not exist in England; but, while prepared to consider any proposals, I cannot pledge the Government to legislation on the subject.
§ MR. MACFARLANEI only wish to know if it is possible for the Education Department in Scotland to exercise 13 a power of appeal in any cases of harsh treatment by School Boards?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANI am afraid that the same latitude in these matters must be given to School Boards as is allowed to managers of voluntary schools and to all who are responsible for the education of children.