Provision Of Teachers’ Aids Being Reviewed

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30882, 15 October 1965, Page 20

Provision Of Teachers’ Aids Being Reviewed

A national review is being made of the relatively new provision of teachers’ aids in schools —assistants not professionally qualified to teach but engaged on an hourly basis to assist in libraries, prepare equipment, and help with supervision of children. This information was given by the Canterbury Education Board in answer to a Canterbury School Committee’s Association inquiry about a reduction in hours allowed for aids in some schools. The board said the scheme was originally devised to help schools with continuing staffing problems. No school had received more favourable treatment than others. Where staffing situations or rolls changed, hours allowed were adjusted. All aid positions were reviewed once a year, and January had been found a convenient time. Report to Minister However, the scheme was under national review, and a committee from boards and the Education Department would report to the Minister of Education.

Mrs M. Rae (Christchurch East) said she wondered whether even the basis given was sound. If there was a shortage of staff in a school, aids were not entitled to teach. Their real job was to relieve teachers of large classes of some chores. Mrs Rae said she happened to be

a teacher, did not like raising a case in point, but spoke as a school committee member. In her classroom there were three distinct classes, including some requiring remedial work. “I just don't have the time to watch them all all the time or to make equipment which is needed,” she said. “And aid would do that kind of work.” Mr A. Wilson (Wharenui) said this was another topic on which the association did not get enough information from the board. “We don’t know the precise scheme,” he said.

Empire-building could arise, said Mr J. S. Whiten (Fendalton). Mr R. K. Milne (a board member) said the board was advised by inspectors of the Education Department who would know needs. The report of a national review suggested that the department was aware of the need for changes.

It was agreed that. the association seek opinions on the scheme from the Education Department and teachers’ organisations.