SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23801, 21 November 1942, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

“CANTERBURY SITUATION MOST ACUTE” BOARD’S EXEMPTION POLICY The serious situation in which the Canterbury Education Board was placed owing to the absence of so many of the male teaching staff in the fftrees was emphasised at yesterday’s meeting in Christchurch-by the chairman, Mr Stanley Smith. “The position is now really acute,” he said. "It is time that the public knew it. ’ Nearly 60 per cent, of the men teachers were now away, he said, but a big percentage of the staff was over military age and had not been allowed to go to the war. Therefore, actually about 90 per cent, of the whole who were eligible had gone into the forces. In consequence, owing to a lack of masculine control, there were signs that the work in the schools was not as good as it had been formerly,. The board, he contended, was quite justified now in asking for exemptions: the situation. otherwise, would Ipecome increasingly serious. It was true that women teachers who had married before the war had rendered help, but in many cases they were working under difficulties. “Quite a number of these married women, teachers found that the methods used nowadays are entirely different from the teaching to which they had formerly been accustomed,” Mr Smith added. “Nevertheless, they have done a wonderful job.” Members of the board were informed that appeals for 68 teachers and four manual instructors had been heard, and that, with the exception of five, all had been adjourned sine die. Decision was reserved in the cases of four teachers who particularly wished to enter the’ Army in spite of the board's representations. The other teacher concerned was already in the forces and the appeal lodged for him was dismissed.