MATHEMATICS TEACHERS

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26887, 13 November 1952, Page 7

MATHEMATICS TEACHERS

SERIOUS SHORTAGE IN AUCKLAND

GIRLS’ SCHOOLS MAY ENGAGE MEN

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 6.

So serious has the shortage of mathematics teachers become that one girls’ school in Auckland may have to include a man in its staff next year—if a man can be found for the position. “Another girls’ school in the North Island already has a man teaching,” said Mr A. A. Kirk, a senior inspector of schools, today. “We have managed to avoid that so far, but we may not be able to do so for ever.”

Nearly 30 mathematics positions were being advertised, said Mr Kirk. The number was far greater than for any other subject. To fill the gaps, it had been necessary to persuade a number of teachers, whose strength was mainly in languages, to brush up their mathematics.

“This problem has been with us since the war years,” said Mr H. Henderson, Superintendent of Education in the Auckland district. He listed several causes of it: science, industry, and the Government were all requiring more and more of the mathematics men from the University; few returned servicemen took up mathematics again; and the course at the University was becoming harder and harder, and was deterring many students of moderate ability who might make good teachers, at least of lower forms.

Professor H. G. Forder, of the mathematics department of Auckland University College, said the standard of the, mathematics course was not being raised—or certainly not for the first year’s work. Twice as many now passed the first-year examinations as before the Second World War. The standard set could not. therefore, be said to be even a contributory cause of the shortage. “The problem is a worldwide one in schools and universities,” said Professor Forder. “We have been trying for three years now to fill a lectureship here.”