TEACHERS’ PAY

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24370, 23 September 1944, Page 8

TEACHERS’ PAY

“GRAVE DISSATISFACTION”

EXPRESSED

REFORMS ADVOCATED

“When the restrictions are lifted after the war, those of us who are game will leave the profess:<cn,” said Mr H. L. Jennings, speaking last evening at a meeting of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. Mr Jennings moved: “That in view of the grave dissatisfaction existing among primary school teachers, the central executive be urged to continue to press for: — “1. Greater avenues of promotion and more high grade positions, by reclassification of schools; by instituting a revised grading system; and by fnforcing retirements. “2. Substantial increases in salaries, particularly for married men and those with dependants.” Mr Jennings said he did not think it could be doubted that teachers as a whole were definitely concerned about the welfare of the children they taught, even though they were dissatisfied with existing conditions. An important point to be considered was the rehabilitation of servicemen after the war, said Mr G. H. Mitchell. The problem was 90 per cent, personal, and could not really be touched by the various rehabilitation committees, however good their work might be. “If teachers have to come back into the service under such conditions as exist to-day, I think I can safely say that 50 per cent, of' them would not tolerate it for more than a year,” said Mr Mitchell. “If the existing conditions continue we will be even shorter of teachers after the war than we are to-day." “The Government and the people must be made aware of the importance of education,” said Mr W. Weir. “The public to-day are not aware of the position of teachers regarding salaries and grading. We see large headlines in the newspapers about the importance of education, but are they ever taken up.” Mr Penney gave instances of financial hardship among teachers, saying that some had been forced to work during the evenings and at week-ends, to earn enough money. “No teacher can do his work well if he is constantly worried . about financial difficulties. It is impossible for him to be an effective teacher,” said Mr Penney.

Mr Jennings’s motion was carried unanimously.