APPLICANTS FOR TEACHING

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28434, 14 November 1957, Page 6

APPLICANTS FOR TEACHING

Possible Increase In Acceptances

There is a possibility that the Education Department this year will accept many more than the previously-fixed quotas of primary school teachers for training. according to information received by the Canterbury School Committees’ Association last evening from the Assistant Director of Education (Mr G. V. Wild*. The association had suggested that if acceptable candidates beyond the quotas were available, additional accommodation should be provided for them.

The department already had authority to accept 50 more than the national primary quoto of 1350 if suitable candidates were available, Mr Wilde said. “This authority will certainly be used if (as appears almost certain) suitable candidates above the quota are offering. The department is very much aware of the possibility that the number of suitable applicants above the quota will considerably exceed 50. “I am not in a position to say what will be done in this event: but I can assure the association that the various possibilities are being very closely studied.’’ Mr Wild said.

“Fifty seems a negligible addition to a quota of 1350.” said Mr R. J. Cooper (Spreydon). “There are two teachers’ colleges in Auckland and others at Palmerston North, Wellington. Christchurch, and Dunedin. It means only 10 extra at each.”

It seemed that more than that would be accepted, but everything would depend on accommodation in the colleges, said the secretary 'Mr A. Greenwood).

Best Candidates Was there any assurance that the best candidates were being accepted from the Dominion pool? risked Mr R. K. Milne (Wharenui). The standard of some rejected in Canterbury might be high while others less able were accepted in other districts. In such an event, should not the highergrade Canterbury rejections be sent elsewhere.

In previous years the Canterbury quota had been easily filled, said Mr Greenwood. Dunedin, which did not always fill its quota, was then offered the best of the surplus. One reason for Canterbury's high rate of applications was that Christchurch drew candidates from most of Canterbury, the West Coast, Nelson, and part of Wellington. South Canterbury acceptances usually chose to go to Dunedin. “It is evident from Mr Wild’s letter that an extra effort is being made and we know that local efforts are being made to increase accommodation in the teachers’ colleges.” said Mrs M. E. Holland (Fendalton).