405 extra teachers promised

Press, 29 May 1985, Page 1

405 extra teachers promised

Timaru reporter Secondary schools’ staff levels will be boosted next year by the equivalent of 405 extra teachers. The move, estimated to cost $8.4 million, was announced in Timaru last evening by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, when opening the Labour Party’s campaign for the Timaru byelection on June 15.

Mr Lange said the 405 additional teacher equivalents would enable secondary schools to reduce class sizes and increase subject options. Teachers would be provided with a time entitlement for preparation and marking as recommended by the secondary schools staffing working party.

“Under existing conditions there is no recognised staffing entitlement for this purpose and as a result many schools have overly large classes to provide preparation and marking time for teachers,” he said. The extent to which individual schools would benefit from the new policy would depend on their roll size. Mr Lange said the Government had authorised a substantial recruitment campaign aimed at attracting former teachers back to the profession. Extra funds would be provided to help schools implement the new policy. Provision was also included for increased teacher relief days for in-service training.