Induction Courses For Returning Teachers

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30939, 21 December 1965, Page 15

Induction Courses For Returning Teachers

(N.Z. Pre.M Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 20. Short induction courses would be provided for secondary school teachers returning to service after a lapse of years, the Minister of Education (Mr Kinsella) said today. A scheme of this type is already in operation for certain groups of primary teachers. “There have been considerable changes in recent years, both in curriculum and in the approach to the teaching of individual subjects," Mr Kinsella said. “It is known that some exteachers, even if they are well qualified, hesitate to offer their services because they feel they are out of touch with modern developments.”

To overcome this difficulty, the Department of Education will arrange for a short induction period for secondary teachers returning to service after a number of years. On taking up a position, a returning teacher—with the authority of the district senior inspector—will be given a period of observation and study extending up to one month before assuming full teaching duties. During the brief period.

the teacher will be treated as supernumerary to staff.

Mr Kinsella said observation might be in the teacher’s own school or in another selected by Department of Education officers if it was more appropriate. In the larger centres it might alsd be possible to bring a group of returning teachers together for a course of lectures to supplement the observation. The Minister voiced hopes that a number of former teachers would apply for vacant positions under these conditions ,as the schools still needed qualified teachers. At the same time, the special one-term training course on full salary would be continued. This course has been running for some years for well qualified persons who have not formerly been teachers. Mr Kinsella said that under this scheme schools had obtained some excellent teachers with specialist qualifications. Several applicants have already been accepted for the courses beginning in February, but more can be taken.