Shortage Of Teachers

Press, Volume C, Issue 29679, 24 November 1961, Page 3

Shortage Of Teachers

Sir—You are to be commended for your editorial concerning teachers - salaries. The raising of salaries, if it were to bring forth more teachers, which is doubtful, will not ensure a suitable type coming forward—quite the reverse. By all accounts, the professional standard of the average teacher today, with its pressure group for more pay, is tending to be lower than it ever was. “Mr Chips” has the solution. The post-primary schools are overpopulated rather than understaffed. Why should the public money be squandered on reluctant pupils, "tio, without discipline in the home, not only make a teacher’s life a burden, but are an evil influence on those desiring to learn? Here lies an important factor in the shortage of teachers. A step forward will be made when students' fees at the university are brought more into line with costs.—Yours, etc., AVOID WASTE. November 22, 1961. Sir.—We ail owe you our thanks for publishing the post-primary teachers’ statement headed. "Your Children Are In Danger.” In this connexion I wonder what "Analysis” would say if he happened to read a comment made by U Thant, the United Nations’ Acting Secretary-General, who said. "There is something wicked about a society in which a successful trader can make a fortune but a successful teacher has to strike to get an adequate reward.” Oh, for closer ties with Asia—Yours, etc.. CONCERNED PARENT. November 22. 1961