Jobless teachers

Press, 9 February 1983, Page 22

Jobless teachers

Sir,—l am sorry to read that Clair Billens has joined the ranks of the unemployed teachers. But why should she blame it upon the Government? The N.Z.E.I. has consistently agreed that many positions in Christchurch schools should be staffed temporarily. Also the N.Z.E.I. supported the broken service rule which effectively stops married women obtaining a permanent position. If the N.Z.E.I. had not supported stopping “broken service" teachers rejoining teaching we would not now have so many trained unemployed teachers since people would obviously not train for teaching if upon leaving training college there was no job available. The N.Z.E.I. recently obtained a $30,000,000 per annum salary increase. If this was repaid to the Government it would create 3000 extra teaching jobs at $lO,OOO a year each. The N.Z.E.I. could discuss this with

Mr Wellington and I am sure he would agree. Teachers’ jobs should be put up for tender with the lowest price obtaining the position. — Yours, etc., R. J. SPRING. February 7, 1983.