Teachers’ Complaints

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31676, 11 May 1968, Page 12

Teachers’ Complaints

Sir,—The suggested solutions to teachers’ complaints made by “Dominie” reflect, unhappily, the somewhat typical New Zealand attitude towards education. By making a wild generalisation, and one hard to substantiate, he asserts that the majority of teachers behave in an unprofessional manner. As in other professions, teachers would have to admit that there are some who do little to enhance their reputations, but how harsh to judge the majority on a few! By asking for a higher starting salary teachers are merely attempting to make the profession more attractive for young people and to bring it into line with the other callings mentioned. This in time would bring about a reduction in class numbers, ensure better-trained teachers, and save having to wait for people like your correspondent to do something about it. After all, education is no longer new to our country and teachers have been ' waiting for a long, long time. 1 —Yours, etc., COUNTRY TEACHER. ' May 9, 1968.

Sir,—After reading so many complaints regarding teachers* salaries, it was rather pleasing to receive a letter last year from my grandson, who <u teaching at a district high school, telling of an increase in salary he had just received, and remarking “that he did not know why, as he was doing quite well on the former rate of pay.” He did not attend the 6 o’clock swill, was a nonsmoker, did not support the T.A.8., and was content with a second-hand car. He has a Wife and two children, all well fed and clothed.—Yours, etc., GRAND-DAD. May 10, 1968.