SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21812, 18 June 1936, Page 7

SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

SOUTHLAND BOARD’S PROBLEM DIFFICULTY SAID TO BE DOMINION-WIDE (ruas AsaooATioi tblmiah.) INVERCARGILL, June 17. Present indications are that there will be a shortage of school teachers in Southland before the end of the year. The admission of five-year-old children to at the beginning of this year and the grading of schools on 95 per cent of the rolls have considerably increased the demand for teachers. In addition, there have been the usual losses in the service through retirements and the marriage of women At present the demand for teachers in Southland is being met by the borrowing of assistants from northern centres, but there is a possibility that the demand will exceed the supply. This year the Southland Education Board has borrowed 13 teachers from the Otago Board. Mr H. T. Thomson, secretary of the Southland Education Board, said today; “Of this number, two have obtained permanent positions in Southland. Luckily, the assistance obtained from the Otago Board has so far been sufficient for this district, but it is doubtful what the position will be for the rest of the year. The Southland Board has six grade schools, and in all of these uncertified teachers are employed. ‘This dearth of teachers is apparently to be found in most centres throughout the Dominion.”