YOUNG TEACHERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 33, 8 February 1929, Page 5

YOUNG TEACHERS.

FEW PERMANENT JOBS.

A MATTER OF GRADING

MR, ATMOBE SYMPATHETIC.

There are young teachers in the Auckland province who left the Training College three and four years ago, and to-day are without permanent employment. Mr. A. Burns, chairman of the Auckland Education Board, asked the Minister of Education (Hon. H. Atmore) this morning to rectify this condition of affairs. "It is brought about by the fact that these young teachers have to compete on an open market against teachers who are graded higher." Mr. Burns explained. "The board is no longer allowed to follow the practice of keeping permanent positions open for teachers leaving college. As a consequence, young teachers have to take relieving position-;, and in manv ca*es they never are seen by the inspectors. Thus, their grading remains so low that they cannot hope to compete on an open market. This board believes that all young teachers are entitled to a permanent position without competition on leaving college. Afterwards thev can fight for themselves. Thirty-four male teachers and 9S female teachers who left the Training College in 1927 were still without permanent employment, in the Auckland district, said Mr. Burns. Of that number. 27 men and 64 women had been given relieving positions. Thirty-one teachers who left in 192 C. 25 who left in 1925. nine for left in 1924. and three female teachers who left in 1923 never had been given a permanent position. A few might have declined permanent positions when offered places, but the majority never had a chance.

The Minister promised to go into the matter on his return from Wellington. He believed that young teachers who had contracted to teach for three or five years after leaving college should have a reasonable prospect of obtaining a permanent po*ition.

Mr. Burns said it seemed unfair that students should be held to their bonds if the board could not find them employment. There were times when such students could find employment elsewhere, but were hindered by the thought that the bond money might be forfeited.

"I agree that it should not be a onesided contract." said Mr. Atmore. "The State has no right to adopt a dog in manger policy. Recognising that education boards have special knowledge of the circumstances of each case. I "don't see why board* should not have authority to cancel a bond, with the approval of the Minister, when circumstances warrant."

The Minister agreed with the chairman that academic qualifications should not be the deciding factor in the appointment of probationers. In the past, he felt sure, academic qualifications had weighed too heavily. There were other factors, such as personality, to be taken into consideration.