N.Z. teachers too costly

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32422, 8 October 1970, Page 13

N.Z. teachers too costly

SUVA. New Zealand might soon be asked to increase—or at least modify—its education aid scheme to Fiji. The colony has a desperate shortage of teachers, partly relieved by the posting of teachers from New Zealand. At present there are 90 New Zealanders teaching in the colony. But one educationist said that New Zealand was “pricing itself off the market” as far as teachers were concerned—and in spite of the local shortage, Fiji might have to cut down on the number of New Zealand teachers recruited each year unless the New Zealand Government is able to assist with costs. No request has yet been made to the Government, and although the Prime Minister (Sir Keith Holyoake) is expected to make

some announcements concerning aid when he is in Fiji later this week, the teacher co-operation scheme is unlikely to be involved. At present, New Zealanders recruited for Fijian teaching positions are selected by New Zealand inspectors who know the Fijian educational system, and its problems, welL Education Department officials here praise the selection scheme, and the standard of appointments. Under the scheme of cooperation, New Zealand has 74 teachers in primary and secondary schools in Fijimany more than Britain and Australia, and not far behind the American Peace Corps total of 88. Other New Zealand educationists are attached to the youthful University of the South Pacific. The rub—as far as Fiji is concerned —is the cost

to Fiji of the New Zealanders. Mr J. G. Rodger, the head of the Department of Education, estimated that a New Zealand teacher cost the Fiji Government about $l5OO a year more than his British counterpart. The extra cost does not arise from the luxurious life of New Zealanders in Fiji as compared with other expatriates. It is simply because New Zealand, unlike other countries with similar aid schemes, supplies the teachers but makes no contribution to their salaries, allowances, or fares.

According to one New Zealander, in Suva, individual New Zealanders have made approaches to the New Zealand Government to “even up” the aid difference. But without any official Fijian Government request, no action has been taken by New Zealand.