SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29691, 8 December 1961, Page 18

SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

Association’s Survey

(NX. Press Association) PALMERSTON NORTH, December 7. The unanimous opinion of principals of post-primary schools is that the teaching position is ranrl-dly deteriorating, and with present prospects, there appears little hope of early relief, according to a survey just completed by the Teachers’ Association. The survey shows that some classes in poet-primary schools have been without teachers during school hours, while other classes have had to have lessons after school hours by teachers not qualified in that particular subject. The survey shows that on October 1 136 poet-primary schools adverti«“d for teaching staff for 782 positions. There were no apolicants at all for 258 of these, which included 1112 mathematics and science positions. By November 1, there ware 369 vacant positions in the 136 schools. The principals stated that rarely, if ever, hod they Started the school y-ar with a full teachinig staff. In a school with 28 full-time teachers, nine were in their first year of teaching, and two of these nine lasted less than two terms. Teaching efficiency had deteriorated owing to school curriculums having to be altered three and four times a vear. Relieving teachers and part-timers were welcomed, with one school attemiptirg to have science taught' by a woman wfr.o had trained for a few months only in a nursing course.