Teacher Shortage THREAT TO KEEP CHILDREN HOME

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30895, 30 October 1965, Page 1

Teacher Shortage THREAT TO KEEP CHILDREN HOME

(Neiv Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct. 29. The staff shortage at Wainuiomata Primary School is so acute that 40 parents have threatened to keep their children home until it improves. They decided this at the annual meeting of the school’s Home and School Association.

“We realise ours is not the only school with this problem,” said a spokesman today. However, classes are so big that parents feel their children would be better off home.

Three years ago, an attempt was made to get the Government to rectify a similar shortage. Three additional teachers were found. Today the situation is worse than ever. The school has a roll of 804 with a staff of 21 teachers, two unqualified. In the primer section there are 422 pupils and nine qualified teachers and two uncertificated teachers.

The association’s resolution said "This meeting deplores the complete lack of foresight on the part of the Government in failing to provide adequate staff for schools. “In spite of repeated recommendations from the Teachers’ Institute no constructive policy has been initiated by the Government to provide a competent teacher for every classroom and the meeting feels that sending children to school in these circumstances is detrimental to their education and that they would benefit more by staying at home.”

Mr O. Benson, acting headmaster of the school for a term, said he was not able to comment on the statements made by the association.