SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22430, 17 June 1938, Page 16

SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

WAYS TO MEET POSITION INCREASED ALLOWANCE FOR MARRIED MEN STUDENTS Steps to deal with the shortage of teachers for country districts are outlined in a memorandum received by the secretary of the Canterbury Education Board (Mr L. E. Rowley) from the Education Department. The memorandum states that reports from education boards indicate an increasing scarcity of teachers for country service, relieving work and temporary positions, and boards are therefore advised to see that no teachers are continuing in their service merely as supernumerary teachers. The retention of teachers who would normally be retired and the re-engage-ment of retired teachers are urged and other methods of' dealing with the problem are suggested. In order to encourage the enrolment of teachers, the memorandum states that married men who are attending teachers’ training colleges are entitled to increased allowances amounting to £209 15s s year. This is provided for in. an amendment of the regulations governing the attendance of married male teachers at colleges and came into force on June 1.

Students formerly were allowed £7C a year if they were living at home and an extra £3O if living away from home.

VIEWS OF AUCKLAND BOARD

[THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, June 15. “Very liberal treatment,” was the expression used by Mr T. U. Wells, who presided at the meeting of the Auckland Education Board this morning, in commenting on the Education Department’s memorandum. Mr Wells said later that at present students, were allowed, £7O annually if

they were living at home, and an extra £3O if they were living away from home. The.net allowance, therefore, meant an increase to married students of from £lO9 15s to £139 15s There are at present four married students at the Auckland Training College. Officers of the . board said that though the main shortage of teachers was in Hawke’s 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 advert tised without response. The Auckland board was at present employing about 100 married women teachers, a number of previously-retired teachers, and several uneertificated teachers.’ All the measures suggested In the department’s memorandum were at present in operation. '

“It is only, a temporary shortage,” said Mr Wells, when an inquiry was made from him. More than 200 students will .leave the Training College at the end of the year.”