DEARTH OF TEACHERS,

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 316, 1 October 1908, Page 4

DEARTH OF TEACHERS,

: 9 DIFFICULTY OP STAFFING COUNTRY SCHOOLS.. (Ill' TELEGUAI'H—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, September 30. At to-day's meeting of the, North Canterbury Education Board tbo following communication was rcccivcd from tho board's inspector:— • "In connection with the vacancies recently advertised, tho dearth of candidates in some instances and their complete abs'enco in others tend to creato misgivings not easily set at rest. It is a glaring absurdity to bestow freo , teaching and costly training upon people who refuse to render in return ' for these, and for a reasonably liberal salary,.some modicum of that social service which the country might expect to receive' for tho genorous treatment it has oxtonded to them, and for tho valuable opportunities it has placed in their way. The_ inspectors beg to submit that the time is ripe to introduce a system of appointments and promotions which . will secure to rural schools a' fair sharo of that teaching power which country residents aro taxed to provide, and to remunerate." . , Tho acting-chairman said tho difficulty of staffing country schools had been acutely' felt for many years. It was anticipated that owing to the number of prospective teachers in the training collogo tho difficulty would decreaso. The opposito effect, however, was noticeable, and country committees, when inviting candidates for vacancies, either received no application at all or applications from unsuitablo porsons.