SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29623, 20 September 1961, Page 7

SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

“Indictment” Of Public

“After many years of teacher shortage, the postprimary situation demands political and educational leadership of the highest order. The present situation is a shocking indictment of the New Zealand public's apparent indifference towards one of its most serious problems.” says Mr A. G. A. Baigent, new president of the Post-primary Teachers’ Association, in the latest issue of the association's journal. "The type of education a community receives depends entirely upon what the community thinks of education and what the community is willing to pay for it,” says Mr Baigent. “New school buildings are of limited value unless we have sufficient per. sons of quality to guide and lead young people within them. “Moreover, our teachers should be given those conditions of service which will permit them to do their work adequately. They must have time within each working week to recharge their batteries, to refresh themselves physically and mentally. They must have more facilities for keeping abreast of their subjects. More teachers should have an opportunity, at least once during their teaching career, of exchanging with a teacher overseas or of long service leave. Within the limits of school timetables, opportunities should be given to undertake research.” Mr Baigent says. “Teaching must also be a profession held in esteem, if it is to bring in the right recruits. Good salaries and good conditions help to bring this about, not so much by themselves, but because they bring in good men. and women. Esteem cannot be given to the teaching prqfession, but the conditions which would enable the profession to eSrn esteem can and should be provided.” says Mr Baigent. “They are primarily the responsibility of the officers of the Department of Education, and our executive will do all it can to remove those conditions which tend to produce an unwarranted element of drudgery within our service to youth.”