Teacher choice change ‘better’

Press, 7 May 1984, Page 13

Teacher choice change ‘better’

PA Dunedin Support for a new policy of more open entry to teachers’ colleges has come from the principal of the Dunedin Teachers’ College, Mr L. G. Taylor. “It is likely to lead to better selection of teachers,” he has said. Under the policy announced by the Minister of Education, Mr Wellington, on Wednesday, the Education Department will recruit 25 per cent more students than it needs. After the first year those to continue training will be selected. Angry teacher groups walked out of the meeting at which this and other areas of college recruitment policy were announced. They objected to the way decisions had been made without consultation.

Mr Taylor said the new system gave college staff a year of working with students before final selection was made. “We are going to have more information, and much of the information will be more relevant,” he said. Staff would especially know more about how the prospective teachers worked with children. Mr Wellington’s policy of increasing the proportion of mature trainees who had work experience by loosening the criteria to give them greater financial assistance was also supported. With the introduction of the tertiary assistance grant instead of salaries, it was difficult for students with family or mortgage commitments to attend college, Mr Taylor said.