MINISTER'S Staffing Situation At Schools Satisfactory

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32216, 7 February 1970, Page 12

MINISTER'S Staffing Situation At Schools Satisfactory

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, February 6. The school staffing situation throughout the country was generally satisfactory, the Minister of Education (Mr Taiboys) said in a statement today.

He said he had taken into account the complex problems associated with three years of training for a primary teacher. “There are some schools: which have problems because; of location or other special; I reasons,” he said. “It must be recognised that two of the eight teachers’ col- j ; leges. Auckland and Welling-:

ton. have retained all of their students for the third year of the three year course this year and, as a result, supplied no teachers to the schools. “in these circumstances the boards and the Department of Education have had to cooperate closely in making the fairest possible distribution of available teachers. Many newly-trained teachers have had to take up appointments in districts other than those . in which they were living.” The Minister said he ' wanted to pay a particular] I tribute to married women (who had come back to take a position for a year and help the schools tide over until the full supply of teachers was coming annually from all the colleges. “Some staffing problems; will continue until all the! teacher’s colleges are pro-l ducing their full quota of] newly- trained teachers every: year." he said. “This stage, will not be! reached until 1972. In the' meantime the large intakes] into the colleges will ensure that when the staffing prob-l lems created by the need toj find 2000 extra teachers, for! the transision to three year; training, are overcome byj 1972. a significant start can) be made to introduce the new] 1:35 staffing schedules, w-hich themselves involve the creation of a further 2000 teacher! positions.”