Qualification Increase For Teachers Urged

Press, Volume C, Issue 29621, 18 September 1961, Page 17

Qualification Increase For Teachers Urged

("New Zealand Press Association)

HAMILTON. Sept. 17. “Recognising the need for adequate payment for qualiI fioatioiis and responsibility, the national executive of 'he Post-Primary Teachers’ Association heartily approves the decision to grant salary increases to members of Parliament in accordance with the Royal Commission's recommendations,” said Mr A. G. A. Baigent, president of the association, in Hamilton las: week. “Representatives who have •the confidence of their electors and who are prepared to shoulder the arduous duties of service to their country should receive an adequate financial reward “It must appear anomalous, however, to the members of the Commission cn Education that their recommendation of a small qualification increase to the more highly-qualified post-primary teachers has been deferred after inactivity for 13 months, while the recent commended increases for memoe.s of Parliament have been so speedily implemented. “It should be clearly understood that the Royal Commission’s increase is a full revaluation of Parliamentary service,” added Mr Baigent. “The association does not press for a revaluation at this time: it leaves such matters to the later decision and report of an independent body, the Commission on Education.

"It does press for urgent approval of this body’s 'recommended qualificatirn allowance. Actual vacancies in schools and employment of many lower-qualified, or less - experienced teachers must be saving the Government annually almost sufficient to provide the qualification allowance already recommended and at present den led. “ ‘The post-primary service is between the upper and the nether millstone, too small to be an effective pressure group,’ was the comment made by a lecturer in one of New Zealand's universities recently,” added Mr Baigent. “Here is a body of men and women which has to work twice as hard an effective head as the nominal demands of its profession because: “It’s staffing establishment is in the first place too small. “It is overwhelmed with clerical, sporting and other teaching duties to the extinction of sound operating margins. “Its output must be moderately high in quality to meet the demands of employers and universities. “It has a 10 per cent, deficiency in numbers and a further 10 per cent insufficiently skilled personnel. “If the current economical storm is to be weathered by this country better and not skimpier education will be urgently required. “Can the commission’s urgent recommendation for our best practitioners be any longer delayed?” said Mr Baigent.