Teacher Recruitment: 120 Coming From U.K.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29547, 23 June 1961, Page 12

Teacher Recruitment: 120 Coming From U.K.

(New Zealand Pr-ss Association)

WELLINGTON. June 22. The first phase of the 1961 campaign for the overseas recruitment of post-primary teachers and graduate teacher-trainees being conducted by the Department of Education in the United Kingdom had now ended, said the Minister of Education (Mr Tennent) this evening. “It will be recalled that the Commission on Education recommended in its interim report last year that a twoyear campaign for overseas recruitment be conducted as an emergency measure to tide us over the worst years of the teacher shortage,” said Mr Tennent. “Government approval was given to the secondment of the department’s recruiting officer. Mr S. Utting, to London for this purpose. “Mr Utting reports a steady and continuing interest in the campaign, and that applicants have now been selected.” he said. "Of these. 70 are trained or experienced post-primary teachers, who have been appointed to specific posts in State schools in New Zealand. The remainder. 50 in all. are mostly graduates, or undergraduates taking their finals this month, who will undergo teachertraining courses in New Zealand before taking up appointments. A few are graduates who have been a year or more in other occupations."

Two types of training course were being offered these teachers—a special three months’ course, and the

usual one-year Division C training college course Salaries and other conditions of service would be the same as for New Zealand teachers “All these teachers, with the exception of the group who will undergo the oneyear training course, will arrive in New Zealand in September.” said Mr Tennent “The Government is arranging an air charter flight on which single teachers, and a few married men without children, will travel out early in September. Married men with children will travel by sea.

“With the exception of specialist teachers with a good qualification in physical education, art and crafts, and domestic science, almost all the teachers and all the trainees are university graduates.” said Mr Tennent.

“The quality of the applicants is exceptionally good, both academically and personally. “The response to this recruitment campaign has been most gratifying, and we have been fortunate in securing their services." he said.