POST-PRIMARY TEACHERS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29146, 5 March 1960, Page 14

POST-PRIMARY TEACHERS

Shortage Totals 153 (Keto Zeatana Press Association/ WELLINGTON, March 4. New Zealand post-primary schools are short of 153 full-time and 28 part-time teachers, the Minister of Education (Mr Skoglund) said today, commenting on the survey he had called for on vacancies in teaching staffs. “Over 60 per cent, of the schools are either fully staffed or are less than one teacher short. Reports from school principals indicated, however, that schools had had to appoint a considerable number of teachers with only minimum qualifications. “The major shortages were in mathematics, science and English. In 18 schools, the shortage amounted to 10 per cent, or more of their normal staffing. Of these schools, eight are in the South Auckland area. None is in a metropolitan centre but five are in provincial cities,” the Minister said. Returns from Education Boards show that the district high schools are in a reasonably happy position in terms of the number of staff. Only four of the 98 schools show serious numerical shortages but in almost all schools the lack of permanent teachers has been made good by the use of full-time relieving staff. In company with other types of schools, the district high schools are having to employ under-qualified teachers. “Some additional help to the most hard-pressed schools will be available from the end of June when selected students at present in training are given early release.” said Mr Skoglund.