NEW GRADING SCHEME

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25304, 2 October 1947, Page 6

NEW GRADING SCHEME

ADVANCEMENT OF TEACHERS PLAN TO REMOVE SALARY BARRIERS A scheme to remove the barriers faced by teachers when they the maximum grading marks in any group and are unable to qualify for better marks - because they must first enter higher positions in the service will be placed before the Minister of Education (Mr H. G. R. Mason) about the end of this month. Mr G. H. Mitchell, of Christchurch, president of the New Zealand Educational Institute, said last evening that the new plan provided for an increase in marks to be given eabh year on a fixed scale according to efficiency. Subject to a standard of experience being maintained, teachers’ grading would continue throughout service without them having to change to new positions. Thjs would tend toward more stability in school staffs, As grading for |he present biennial period covered this year and next, if had been proposed that the new scheme, if approved, should begin in 1948, with tffe grading at ’ present in forge. The new schejne is being supplied jn detail to teachers and, afterthejj- comments have been received, it will be submitted to the Minister for favourable consideration. Mr Mitchell said that the present system was based on a method of grouping according tP salary. During recent years, it had proved unsatisfactory because once teachers reached their maximum in any group, congestion arose through positions not being available in the next. The acute hous* ing shortage also influenced teachers not to change their schools often. If the present scheme were allowed to remain in operation, its value as a promotion index, already seriously undermined, would disappear com* Pletely. Mr Mitchell, said the position had become so serious that officers bf the institute and of the Educatjpn' Department had conferred to secure a scheme under which teachers could continue to make progress, regardless of the salary group they were in. If the proposals were approved, translation to the new grading scheme would be made in April, 1948? with the rela; five position of every teacher exactly the same as announced in the latest grading.