Many teaching jobs

Press, 30 July 1980, Page 21

Many teaching jobs

By

KEN COATES

in London London secondary

schools are looking to New Zealand and Australia to help solve their biggest manpower problem. a shortage of mathematics and science teachers. “We have not actually advertised yet in New Zealand but if there are any teachers with these skills without jobs they would be quickly found posts in our schools here,” said a spokesman for the Inner London Education Authority.

The authority, which administers 185 secondary schpols, has already ap-

pealed to Australian mathematics and science teachers who find themselves on the dole to work in London.

An approach has been made to Victoria’s Education Department by the head of the I.L.E.A.’s teachers’ staffing branch. At the last count, London comprehensive schools were short of 40 teachers of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. The situation is described as “acute” when it comes to the finding of mathematics teachers.

A plan is also under discussion to engage mathematics and science teachers from Canada.

The Authority’s spokesman said there were also posts available for teachers of design and craft as well as teachers of modern languages.

The British Government has appealed for a boost in the number of students training to become science and mathematics teachers. A letter sent to every teachers’ college in the country calls for a new recruitment drive to mathe-

matics and science cour- I ses. It warns that the i number of students train- ; ing to be physical edu- j cation teachers must be j pruned.