Student’s application for leave supported

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33655, 3 October 1974, Page 14

Student’s application for leave supported

An application by a secondary school-teacher-trainee for a year’s leave of absence to edit the University of Canterbury student newspaper, “Canta,” involved the Christchurch Teachers’ College Council in one of its longest debates for three years last evening.

I For more than an hour the council debated the application by Mr I. S. Powell for, leave of absence without pay., This application had been declined by the Department of! Education, which wants to keep to the policy of: students’ completing their training in the shortest possible time. In the debate it was emphasised that statements by the late Prime Minister, Mr Norman Kirk, and members of the Government supported the idea that teachers; should be given the chance to broaden their horizons by] working in areas other than] education. The case for teconsidera-1 tion of the application was.

.supported by the New Zealand University Students’ Association, the Student Teachers’ Association of iNew Zealand, the University jof Canterbury Students’ Association, and the execu-

iltive of the college’s seconidary division students’ asso[ciation. ’ The executive of the Teachers' College Council expressed its support for the granting of leave, but considered that Department of Education regulations would mean that the application would be denied.

i The council finally decided, ion a motion put forward by !Mr M. Carson and seconded by Professor P. Lawrence, to I ask the Department of Education to reconsider the apI plication. ■ CONCERN EXPRESSED The principal of the primary division of the Teachers’ College (Dr J. F. Mann) expressed concern that the support of the application from student organisations had led to its being given the chance of a review.

Many more worthy applications had been declined by the Teachers’ College Council in the past, and the pressure of the students’ groups shpuld not be allowed to change matters in this respect, said Dr Mann.