Teaching Affected By Printing Delay

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32119, 15 October 1969, Page 30

Teaching Affected By Printing Delay

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 14. The teaching of mathematics, health and music in New Zealand primary schools was being hindered by printing delays, the national president of the Educational Institute (Mr J. Dwyer) said at Taihape last night.

“It seems that the Government Printer is unable to work to an agreed timetable ’’ he said in a supplied statement

“Teachers have been promised a new handbook of suggestions on health education since 1967, a music handbook since 1966, and new Form II mathematics textbooks were promised for this year. We are now told that none of these books will appear until next year, mainly because of printing problems,” Mr Dwyer said. “This kind of disorganisation stops teachers doing their work efficiently.” In the case of the health handbook, the Education Department had instigated an excellent in-service programme aimed at introducing the new book early in 1968. The delays had led to a dislocation of the programme. Teachers had moved away from the pilot schools, key

administrators were no longer available, and the impetus had been lost

“The State School system is labouring under enough difficulties without adding to them the burden of administrative delays,” said Mr Dwyer. “The Government Printer should be required to meet deadlines, like any other printer, or the printing be given to other firms."