SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28347, 5 August 1957, Page 12

SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

Meetings Held

In Auckland

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 4. “Deep and sincere” concern at the shortage of postprimary school teachers, and at the lowering of postprimary teaching standards were expressed at a meeting of teachers, parents, parent - teacher committees and boards of governors held

in Auckland tonight. The meeting took the form of a panel discussion. No concrete solutions were offered but the pan?! suggested the shortage might be met by higher pay. improved housing, a “step-up” in overseas recruiting, and possibly an emergency training scheme for people recruited from the commercial world. Five local members of Parliament, Mr F. Hackett, Mr R. Macdonald, Mr J. M. Deas. Mr t). M. Rae and Mr John Rae, attended. There was an apology from the Minister of Education (Mr R. M. Algie). Two motions “for the members to carry back to the house were passed. One expressed concern at the shortage. The other urged the Government to ensure that post-primary teaching standards were not lowered. . North Shore Meeting A meeting yesterday at the Takapuna Grammar School was attended by about 150. including the headmasters and staff of the four post-primary schools on the North Shore, and the primary schools. About 20 organisations were represented. The object of the meeting was to draw the attention of the local members of Parliament to the “serious shortage of post-primary teachers.” The Minister *in charge of the Tourist Department (Mr D. J. Eyre) and Mr N. King (Waitewere present and a resolution was passed unanimously asking them “to urge the Gov emment to do all in its power to ensure that sufficient qualified and competent teachers are available for the post-primary schools which cannot otherwise continue to offer an adequate education to boys and girls of New Zealand. ’ ’