STIFFER COMPETITION FOR TEACHERS’ COLLEGE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28750, 22 November 1958, Page 16

STIFFER COMPETITION FOR TEACHERS’ COLLEGE

A “spectacular’’ increase in applications for training at teachers’ college and consequent ability of selection committees to require a higher mark for acceptance. reported to the Canterbury Education Board yesterday, indicate that (in this district at any rate) there will be stiffer competition for entry to the profession. The teachers’ college committee based this forecast on a report of the District Senior Inspector (Mr L. J. Broomfield) warning that, although some other districts were still short of teachers, nobody should get the idea that teaching was an “easy option’’ in selection of a career.

A table showing the teachers’ college quota, number of applicants, number admitted, range of marks for acceptance, and numbers of rejections for the years 1954 to 1958. presented by Mr Broomfield, showed th<\t whereas there were 254 applicants in the first year, there were 402 this year. In 1956 none was unsuccessful but this year there were 145. In 1954 the range of marks for those accepted was 12 or 13, to 20. This year the bottom mark for those accepted was 15 or 16.

“To meet the needs of a growing school population the Education Department has, each year since 1945. sought to recruit an increased number of entrants to teachers’ colleges. The fact that recruitment has been from the low birth-rate groups of the depression years has meant that, to obtain a sufficient number of entrants to the profession, standards (both academic and personal), have of necessity been lower than one would wish.’’ Mr Broomfield said.

“Although in Canterbury, we have not experienced the difficulties that some boards have met in filling their quotas, and have, indeed, always had more applicants than places, the fact remains that rigorous selection has not been possible. For many years the great majority of candidates who have faced selection committees, and who have gained the minimum academic qualifications (a pass in School Certificate examination) have found a place in teachers’ college,” said Mr Broomfield. “In these circumstances, the important function of selection committees in screening candidates has tended to be overlooked by school principals, parents and candidates themselves. “It became apparent in 1957, however, that we were moving away from what had become the pattern of the post-war years—that is, that although we were still seeking increased numbers of entrants, the pool of qualified school leavers from which we recruit was increasing, so that numbers applying were substantially in excess of numbers required. This tendency, apparent in 1957, has continued and strengthened in 1958 and would appear to be somewhat further intensified by current economic trends, which increase the relative attractiveness of teaching as a career.’’ said Mr Broomfield. “Available population statistics and economic forecasts would indicate that in the foreseeable i future there will be increasing 'competition for entry to the profession.”

Spectacular Increase "The spectacular increase in the number of candidates offerinc has thrown a heavier responsibility than ever before on selection committees as failure to gain a place in the college has become a serious matter for the unsuccessful candidates in the light of increasing difficulties they are likely to meet in finding alternative employment." Mr Broomfield said. He then reviewed the special attention this year to ensure that comI mittees did their work with “justice. thoroughness, and insight.’ ■ Inspectors talked to post-primary i careers advisers and school comI mittee associations and selection i committees were fully briefed on ' quotas. scales of marking. | academic qualifications, interpretation of information, techniques of interviewing, and desirable personal qualities. A system to ensure common standards between selection committees was devised. “It can fairly be claimed that the

total task of selection has never been better done in this district." said Mr Broomfield.

Outstanding Recruits

“Circumstances are favourable for the recruitment to the teaching profession of young people of outstanding personal gifts and sound academic attainment. For the first time for many years every student entering the colleges on the Canterbury quota will have had at least a sixth-form year. This must give satisfaction to all of us who are concerneq with the quality of our teaching service and with the value of the educational experience of the children in our schools,” Mr Broomfield said. Mr R. K. Milne, chairman of the Teachers’ College committee, said selection committees had been impressed with the quality of applicants and regretted that some had to be rejected because of quotas. In Canterbury it seemed that the shortage of teacher applicants had been overcome, said the chairman of the board (Mr S. J. Irwin). With a surplus of good candidates offering, the Educational Institute might think it timely to renew their claims for the training of still more teachers to allow smaller classes. “For our part, I think we will soon have to take up the matter of a second college here.” said Mr Irwin. A site at the corner of Memorial avenue and Grahams road (adjoining the Burnside High School site) had been pencilled in. The present college was already “cluttered up.”