Drive For 1000 Teacher Recruits

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31729, 12 July 1968, Page 12

Drive For 1000 Teacher Recruits

A drive is being made to obtain nearly 1000 new entrants for all divisions of the Christchurch Teachers’ College next year and next Wednesday evening a public meeting will be held in the college hall for parents and their sons and daughters to obtain any information they seek.

Although quotas have not yet been settled, it is expected that the primary division of the college will take 385 trainees.

The secondary division is expected to take 300 university graduates for a year’s professional training, 100 direct from schools for a three-year course, 50 in-home-craft and 20 in commercial for two years, plus 20 each in homecraft and woodwork courses and a dozen in com-

mercial for one-year special courses for those with practical experience. The secondary department figures do nbt take into account those who may win studentships. In the last few weeks Mr E. Hundleby, teaching recruitment officer, has visited all 'but 18 of the 57 secondary schools in Canterbury and Westland to invite senior pupils and their parents' to district information meetings. More than 200 attended at Timaru on July 2, 50 at Ashburton on Wednesday, and large attendances are expected in Christchurch and on the West Coast

Applications do not close until August 15 so it is too early to gauge prospects in recruitment. However, Mr Hundleby has already noted that the security of teaching has considerable appeal at present. The propect of approved students being able to do degree work while in training was also a considerable attraction, he said.

The Canterbury Education Board has arranged for all potential applicants to spend September 4 and 5 (during the last week of the secondary school holidays) observing classes in schools of their choice.

This was very popular when begun last year. This year the scheme has been organised earlier .so that likely entrants may nominate the type of school and level of class they wish to see.

Mr Hundleby emphasised that both potential recruits and their parents should not hesitate to ask questions at the meeting next Wednesday evening. Officers present from the Education Department, Teachers’ College, and employing boards would be qualified to answer any question. There would also be opportunity over supper for more personal inquiries.,