Teacher training withdrawn

Press, 13 October 1982, Page 5

Teacher training withdrawn

Parliamentary reporter

Secondary school pupils in Christchurch were told that they had been accepted for the primary teacher training course at the Christchurch Teacher’s College last year before the Government' announced reduced intake quotas, the member of Parliament for the West Coast, Mr T. K. Burke, has said in Parliament. Mr Burke said that Christchurch pupils were accepted for the course before the West Coast pupils were considered. ■ The Government had announced the reduced intake last year when applicants were still being interviewed, he said. However, the Minister of Education, Mr Wellington, said this was not correct. Education boards did not have the right to notify suc-

cessful applicants until the Government had set the intake quotas.

Mr Burke had asked Mr Wellington why no West Coast secondary school pupils were admitted to the primary teacher training course this year. Mr Wellington replied that only one West Coast pupil sufficiently well qualified had applied. Not all suitable applicants found a place within the quota. The Canterbury Education Board had decided not to offer a place to the pupil. The Government set the quotas and the individual education boards interviewed and selected the applicants. The selection procedures were a’ matter for the Canterbury Education Board. Mr Wellington said he had total confidence in its administration.