REHABILITATION OF TEACHERS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23948, 15 May 1943, Page 2

REHABILITATION OF TEACHERS

SUGGESTIONS MADE BY CONFERENCE Members of the New Zealand Educational Institute, who met in conference in Christchurch yesterday, spent considerable time in discussing rehabilitation and post-war reconstruction as these problems apply, in particular, to teacher servicemen. "The suggestions put forward aim at providing some assistance in the rehabilitation of those who have fought to make free education possible.” stated the North Canterbury branch, in a special report. “No one will deny that there are difficulties in the way. But if the institute shows that ruthless efficiency and singleness of purpose which our men overseas have displayed. then all obstacles can be successfully overcome, and a foundation will be iaid on which an education worthy o f their sacrifice may in due course be built.” It was agreed that all servicemen on their discharge from the forces should be given the option of taking up their teaching appointments, entering on a course of not less than one year at any training college, or accepting appointments as supernumeraries to selected schools for one year. In any case, the salary, it was urged, should not be less than they had received had the teaching service or training not been interrupted. The conference approved of the suggestion that leave of absence through illness, attributable in whole or in part to war service, granted to any overseas servicemen, should be additional to the leave of absence allowed under ordinary regulations, and be on full salary. Should they so desire, servicemen who are overseas at the time of the close of hostilities should be given an opportunity of, and financial assistance towards, remaining for at least a further year for the purpose of taking an approved course of study in education. The conference believed that for the purpose of implementing the rights of servicemen a tribunal consisting of one representative of the Education Department, one returned serviceman appointed by the institute, and a stipendiary magistrate as chairman, should be set up to decide any matters in dispute between teachers and the authorities concerned; also, that the claims of the teaching profession as a career be brought prominently before men and women in the armed forces, and that the department be recommended to make provision for the entrance and necessary training to suit the needs of such applicants. Tt was explained that, after the l?sl war. quite a number of potential teachers had been lost to the profession. In the present war many young people who would have ordinarily entered the service had gone straight from school into the armed forces. Conference agreed that to ensure the complete absorption of all returned srvicemen an amended staffing schedule should come into operation as soon as possible after the war.