MORE TEACHERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 139, 15 June 1938, Page 8

MORE TEACHERS

URGENT MEASURES. MEETING DEMANDS. MARRIED STUDENTS, £209. INCREASED ALLOWANCES. Extreme measures are urged by the Education Department to meet the need for more teachers to relieve the present serious shortage in country districts. In a memorandum presented to the Auckland Education Hoard this morning the Department urged the retention of "reasonably efficient" teachers who would normally be retired, the re-en-gagement of retired teachers, and measures intended to meet the temporary acute shortage. To encourage the . enrolment of teachers, . it was notified that from Jane 1 married male student teachers are entitled to be paid allowances totalling £209 15/. This information was given when it was noted that an amended regulation relating to Training Colleges stated: "A married male student may, with the approval of the Minister, lie paid a further special allowance not exceeding the amount by which his other allowance, or allowances taken together, payable under sub-clauses 2 and 3, are less than £209 15/." "Very liberal treatment," commented Mr. T. U. Wells, who presided. Mr. Wells pointed out subsequently i hat at the present time students were allowed £70 annually if they were living at home, and an extra £30 if they were living away from home. The new allowance therefore meant an increase to married students of from £109 15/ to £139 15/. There are at present four married students at the Auckland Training College. Auckland Position. Officers of the board pointed out that though the main shortage of teachers was in Hawket Bay and Taranaki there was a serious problem at present in the staffing of country schools, particularly in the North Auckland district. Recently between 40 and 50 positions, requiring female assistants for country schools, had been advertised without response. The Auckland Board was at present employing about 100 married women teachers, a number of previously retired teachers, and several uncertificated teachers. All the measures suggested in'the Department's memorandum were at present in operation. Temporary.'* - "II is only a temporary shortage," stated Mr. Wells,-when inquiry was made from him. "Thsp» are over 200 students coining J out m~ thd' training College attbe end of the year."

The memorandum from the Director of Education (Dr. J. W. Mcllraith) stated: "Reports from education boards indicate an increasing scarcity of teachers for country service and relieving work and as temporary teachers. Boards are therefore advised to see that no teachers are continuing in their service merely aa supernumerary teachers." Methods Proposed. Tto methods suggested were outlined as:— (i) By retaining in their present positions teifkn who are reasonably dMwt and who woald normally he retired. (a) By utilising the seirices of suitable teaehers who have retired from the profession. (3) By transferring an assistant teacher in any school in which the roll wiibtr has fa Urn sufficiently to warrant ike withdrawal of that mutant. (4) By replacing additional aaaistanta and substituted assistants, who sre willing) with retired teachers. The additional and substituted assistants conld then he naed ss relieving teachers and given additional salary at the rate of £jo a year, tofpthar with the anal allowances. (5) By- replacing temporarily with retired teachers any permanent assistanta who are wflGag to assist boards by acting ss Yefiering teachers. Such relieving teachers shoald receive additional aalary at the rate of £20 a year, and the usual allowance will be paid. w (fl By using all exchange tenth ii 11 as relieving teachers, but not in schools below Grade IT.

(7) By not supplying a relieving teacher for short periods. (8) By utilising extra probationary assistants as relieving teachers in schools of Grade IV. and upwards at a salary of £150 per annum (men and women) together with boarding allowance when required. When necessary daily travelling. (9) By continuing to utilise the services of suitable uncertificated teachers. Salary Proposals. Salary arrangements are suggested tat would ensure that no teacher would ° f tie ** 8 " s I*B* .new of the fact that a large assistant* next,"