“Pay Increases Not Solution To Shortage Of Teachers”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 15

“Pay Increases Not Solution To Shortage Of Teachers”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Nov. 17. The serious shortage of post-primary teachers in New Zealand could be overcome only by a combination of short-term and long-term measures over a period of years, the Minister of Education (Mr Tennent) said in a statement today. Mr Tennent was commenting on a report of a meeting organised last Monday by the Post-Primary Teachers’ Association. He said the meeting was part of a Dominion-wide campaign apparently designed to bring pressure to bear on the Government. Mr Tennent said he did not need reminding of the shortage. It was one of the most “worying problems” he had inherited. “Nor will a full solution be easy, because the shortage of teachers arises basically from the general shortage of graduates and other highly-skilled people that is creating very serious problems in many departments of our national life," he said. “I shall do all in my power to remedy the situation as quickly as possible,” Mr Tennent said. “The Post-Primary Teachers’ Association takes the line that the only constructive solution to the problem lies in very substantial increases in teachers’ salaries. Practically every other measure that has been, and is being, taken is dismissed as a palliative. “Salaries are. of course, a major factor in the recruitment and retention of teachers," he said, “and the Government has given a firm undertaking that in February next it will again consider very carefully the second recommendation of the interim report of the Education Commission—-which proposes higher rewards for teachers with superior academic or technical qualifications—and also the case for higher starting salaries for all teachers.” These measures would help to recruit more able young people to teaching, but the effects on staffing would be considerably delayed, as it took from three to five years

ties for promotion in the service have in recent years been exceptionally good. “Does the public realise that a considerable number of post-primary teachers are securing posts of responsibility—salary range for a married male graduate, up to £1555 in their early 30’s, and some even in their late twenties.” Mr Tennent said some individuals and groups taking part in the campaign were making statements likely to hinder rather than help recruitment He said the solution of staffing difficulties called for full co-operation of everyone concerned with the schools.

to train a post-primary teacher. Alternatively, the recruiting of qualified teachers from the United Kingdom on a contract basis, emergency training courses for graduates from industry and commerce and for teachers of homecraft subjects, and the recently approved increments for years of motherhood, provided some fairly quick relief. Mr Tennent said: “I cannot help wondering if in its campaign the association is giving the full facts on existing levels of teachers salaries. Because of the very rapid expansion of the post-primary school population, opportuni-