Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1919. TEACHERS' CLAIMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9654, 10 July 1919, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1919. TEACHERS' CLAIMS.

One reply to the frequentlyraised enquiry as to the difference between a trade and a profession, is that the latter is not engaged in primarily for the sake of remuneration, liking' for the particular work being the main source of inspiration .and encouragement. This dictum wouid not be accepted as satisfactory by many; indeed some professions are popularly regarded as being more grasping and eager for high fees than any trades frankly instituted for monetary reward. Be that as it may, there are some professions which could justly claim that members, generally, give more than ry .they receive; clergymen and teachers, form two notable instances. It would seem that the salaried- professional - -has —voluntarily of otherwise—not yet'surrendered the ideals originally distinguishing a profession, and it is equally apparent that, so long 1 as this self-abnegation is allowed to continue .by those most concerned, those they work for will not worry. Whether it is in the real interests'of either professionals or public that the former should not receive sufficient financial reward for efforts made, is a question worth discussion, and indeed, forced by]dread necessity, some professionals are taking the initiative in securing redress of old injustices. Among these "agitators" are secondary school assistants, Avhose Association is adopting measures to obtain increases in salary and grading reforms for the members. A pamphlet has been issued, detailing the grievances of secondary school teachers, and without necessarily admitting that all the statements made therein are unanswerable, it is apparent that these tutors are not receiving a fair deal. Remembering' that the value of the sovereign has dwindled by one-third, the salaries received by tW teachers are not such as to. keep the best men and women in the tutorial ranks, and no words of ours are necessary to make it clear that this does the cause of education great injury. It is stated that in order to obtain a "living wage," secondary school teachers are compelled to seek,outside engagements; the result of this overwork—and mental strain is perhaps the worst form of overwork —must be bad , for /the teachers and the taught. The Dominion is rightly proud of its education system, but serious defects must arise if the secondary school teachers are harassed through the failings of the scale of salaries paid and the scope of promotion available. At the Ashburton High School, harmony appears to prevail on these points between the Board and the staff, and a special sub-committee of the Board has been appointed to confer with the teachers. This interchange of views should prove valuable, and if all other High School Boards act similarly, the teachers' wrongs should be duly minimised, and the dangers to education efficiency removed.