Shortage Of Teachers

Press, Volume C, Issue 29672, 16 November 1961, Page 7

Shortage Of Teachers

Sir, —Your editorial attacking our association for pressing the Education Commission's recommendations on qualification allowances shows that declining standards are no: confined to school teaching. You commit solecisms that we try to cure junior pupils of. First, instead of answering our booklet’s case on staffing shortages, you employ argumentum ad hominem, imputing to us the dishonest motive of merely wanting to “raise salaries.” Next, the Minister is “presumably doing his best on the teachers’ behalf” begging the question, surely. The Minister claimed economic emergency as the reason for declining the commission’s recommendations, then proceeded with other pairlia-

mentarians (of whom there is no evident shortage) to vote himself a higher salary, with she editorial approval of “The Press.” Finally, you offer the advice that teachers should think of “rewards that cannot be measured in pounds, shillings, and pence.” This holier-than-thou attitude is surely cynical, coming from a commercial newspaper. Yours, etc., H.CJJ. November 14, 1961.

Sir, —Your headlining of the item about headmasters’ salaries on page 16 of today’s issue creates the impression that an increment has been granted. May I ask one or two additional questions? First, how many individual teachers in New Zealand receive salaries in excess of £2OOO per annum? Second, do you. or your readers, honestly think that £640 is sufficient salary to pay a primary school teacher ia return for what you expect him to achieve? If the salary and the hours of work of teachers make teaching such a "cosy corner.” why is there a shortage? The critics of the profession should be pouring in to take advantage of the “perks” so freely available, and to fiQ the vacancies. Instead of quoting the at thevery few. perhaps it would be more Illuminating to quote the average salary for a primary school teacher of 10 years’ experience, and the average for a post-primary teacher of the same experience, but with a BA. degree— Yours, etc., FACTS FIRST. November 15, 196 L