Greymouth Teachers Attack Minister

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32359, 27 July 1970, Page 12

Greymouth Teachers Attack Minister

(From Our Own Reporter?

GREYMOUTH, July 26.

The Grey branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute has taken exception to the remarks of the Minister of Education (Mr Taiboys) on “Gallery” when he said that because doctors and dentists had a 450 per cent increase in salary this was no reason why teachers should have a similar increase.

“Does the Minister mean that teachers are suddenly worth proportionately less than they used to be while doctors and dentists are worth proportionately more?” asks the branch.

“Brian Edwards challenged the Minister as to the importance of education in New Zealand today. Surely it is a top priority.

“Mr Taiboys was also challenged with a comparison of money or moneys earned by professional and trades people

by the age of 30—doctors $44,000, tradesmen $40,000 schoolteachers $32,000. “When asked if this was a fair indication of the value placed on teachers he stated that teachers were not in teaching for the monetary reward alone. “What does he think we are there for?

“The Minister said that there were other compensations in teaching, for example longer holidays. It has been universally accepted throughout the ages that teachers and pupils need these breaks and if could well be pointed out to the Minister that teachers in many cases use their breaks to increase their teaching skills at refresher courses organised by bis department while many other find it necessary to work to supplement their incomes to maintain their standard of living. “Later Mr Gair, the Undersecretary of Education, criticised teachers for ‘sniping’ at the Minister. What was the Minister doing to teachers in his ‘Gallery’ interview on Tuesday night? “The branch would like to know.”