Student teachers worried

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33816, 12 April 1975, Page 13

Student teachers worried

(By our education reporter)

Student teachers may be left out on a limb if the Government approves a standard tertiary student bursary.

I Concern is growing among I kindergarten, primary, _ and I secondary teacher trainees i that the Government may reIduce the substantial studentships paid to teacher trainees, to finance the standard bursary, which would mainly benefit technical'institute and university students. Over the last two months ithe leaders of the New Zealand University Students’ AsIsociation and the Technical Institute Students’ Associai tion have been attempting to : protect the interests of studlent teachers as they bargained I with the Minister of Education (Mr Amos) for a standard I bursary. 1 The position of teacher \ trainees has become clouded. ‘They can not expect other ■tertiary students to willingly, (accept a standard bursary of | about $2B a week, while ■ teacher trainees are paid-be-i tween $2OOO and $5OOO a i year.

j If the Government does cut back on the amount paid to 'teacher trainees — this proposition is being discussed by the Education Department and Mr Amos — then the large numbers applying for entry' to teachers’ colleges will fall, because more attrac-

tive prospects will be presented in other tertiary institutions. The standard bursary would not carry a bond, making it attractive to possible applicants to teachers’ colleges.

The alternative which student teachers fear will be presented to them by the Government when the standard bursary proposals are announced, probably in May or June, is to either accept the present substantial studentships but also a much more expensive bond or accept the lower, less restrictive standard bursary. Student teachers are adamant that few members of Parliament understand the implications of the standard bursary as it affects teacher training. As the -largest and most well-paid group of tertiary students, they are willing to protest strongly should their “salary” rights be infringed.

The student teachers want a wide-ranging review of teacher training in New Zealand before teacher trainees are presented with the option of accepting a lower standard bursary or the' more restrictive payment based on present studentships.

Values choice.—Mr M. L. Jenner, a 38-year-old builder from Buckland’s Beach, has been chosen as the Values Party candidate for Pakurar.ga.—(P.A.)