TEACHING SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 114, 17 May 1933, Page 8

TEACHING SERVICE.

DEPARTMENT'S DECISIONS. POSITION OF "LAME DUCKS." A memorandum received by the Auckland Education Board from the Education Department this morning stated that the Minister had decided not to appoint any probationers in 1034. lhe memorandum added that the supply of teachere was sufficient to meet tho requirements of the service until ISWUj hut that it would be necessary in-1035 to admit students to training colleges in order that they might be trained in readiness for tho requirements ot school* from the beginning of 1937. "It looks as if the Department proposes to put student* into the training college in 1935 without any previous training at all," commented tlie chairman, Mr. T. U. Wells. "Personally, I think it is a mistake. I think that one year spent in a school is very valuable to'tho student."Mr. C. R. Munro stressed the value of the time spent. by students at a school. . ~ ' "It also gives an opportunity for the weeding out of those who are not. siiitablc "for-the profession," said Mr. Wells. It was decided to discuss the matter with the Director of Education, air. Lambourne, on the occasion of his vieit to Auckland in the near future. A further memorandum from the Department stated that representation had teen made on 'behalf of those exstudents of training colleges who had paesed tho examination for teachers certificates, but had not had certificates issued on account of an adverse report by the senior inspector on their ability to teach. In such cases, stated the Department, -it had been decided to allow the ex-students to be employed during the August term for a month to begin with. At the end of a month the senior inspector should report on their efficiency, and if ho was prepared to recommend the issue of certificates the teachers might bo retained in their positions. If the inspector felt that he could not make such a recommendation, the matter might bo reported to the Department with a view to allowing an extension of employment to further test the student's ability for teaching service. The chairman eaid that the Department appeared to be showing a lot of consideration for the "lame ducks." There were 500 teachers without permanent employment, and -why should that number be increased by ex-students who were not good teachers, he asked. If the country was short of teachers the Department's decision could be easily understood, but that -was not the case. Mr. IV A. Snell: It shows a weakness in the system. It was decided to raise .the point with the director when he visits Auckland.