INDIRECT "CUT."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 306, 28 December 1931, Page 3

INDIRECT "CUT."

SALARIES OF TEACHERS

"INCREMENTS POSTPONED.

LARGE NUMBER AFFECTED.

The. last "Gazette" contains an addition to a clause dealing with teachers' salaries that will effect further economies in the education vote, possibly, according to the estimate of an Auckland teacher, to the extent of £30,000.

In primary schools the commencing salaries for head teachers and assistants are fixed at definite minimum amounts, which are increased by two increments of £10 or £15 per annum, according to the type of position held when the holder reaches certain fixed points on the grading ladder. Salary increments while a teacher remains in the one position are thus dependent upon grading marks, but when a master or mistress secures these two increments, then another position has to be sought before higher salary can be obtained. Whether an increase of salary is to be forthcoming is determined by the grading list, issued in April of each year. If a teacher steps above the "increment bar" in this much-scanned document then he or she knows that a rise, retrospective from February 1, is due, and some time later there is a much-increased monthly cheque, including arrears of increment.

■Under the addition to the regulations this increment system is virtually suspended; for the "Gazette" notifies that it "shall not be payable until authorised by the Minister." No economy will be obtained in this year's vote, as the increments are not usually out till June, but there will be a: very considerable saving in next year's salaries account, and quite a large proportion of teachers who were anticipating that the reward of a few extra grading marks for faithful service during 1931 would bring an increase to offset the recent "cut," will be sadly disappointed. The new provision will not affect those who have held their present positions for several years, since, in most cases, they have already ascended the grading ladder beyond both bars, but it will react most against the younger teachers who have not been long in their present posts. The great, majority to be affected will be women in the lower grades of the service.