SUPPLY OF TEACHERS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 75, 22 December 1926, Page 10

SUPPLY OF TEACHERS

ABSORBING THE SURPLUS PROSPECTS FOR NEXT YEAR 4 MINISTER DEFINES POLICY The part played in the absorption of surplus teachers by the displacement of the less efficient and the appointment of trained certificated teachers was emphasised by the Minister of Education (Hon. R. A. Wright) in the course of a statement yesterday. Reference was also made by the Minister to the prospects of accommodating next year’s supply of teachers. “With reference to the statement by the Wellington Education Board that the market is glutted with teachers,” said the Minister, “the board has overlooked the fact that in New Zealand the education system is a national one, and although any calculation relating to the supply of teachers must in the first place b e based on . the demand in each education district, yet in the final issue unemployed teachers are expected to seek positions in any part of the Dominion. Hence a surplus in the Wellington district will be absorbed bv other districts where the supply is not so ample. As far as the whole Dominion is concerned, the position is that 10'14 trained teachers will be available next vear for 1051 vacancies.

Consequently it should l be possible to absorb into the service not only tliis year’s output from the Training College, but also manv of the teachers who have found difficulty in obtaining positions this year.

“Of course, the 1054 vacancies do not all arise at the beginning of the year, since losses through retirement, death, and marriage are occurring throughout the vear. 'This is not a new condition of tilings, but one that has _ always prevailed in the teaching service, and, moreover, prevails all over the world. Further, there are employed at the present time 3GB uncertificated teachers, of whom about 68 hold licenses to teach, and consequently permanent positions are held by them. Of the 300 that remain, about 200 are employed in Grade 0 schools. This leaves approximately 100 who have really no claim on th‘ c Department. * No Increase in Sjupply.

“The various education boards have been asked to displace the less efficient bv appointing trained certificated teachers instead. If this is done, it is believed .that the whole of the surplus stock of teachers will be absorbed. The late Minister, Sir James Farr, made a special effort to increase the number of trained teachers in order that country schools might be manned bv an efficent staff, and not left to the tender mercies of the uncertificated teacher.' A further object he had in view was the reduction in the size of classes in large schools. In both directions a great improvement has been effected, and there docs not appear to be any further need to increase the supply of teachers beyond the ordinary requirements. The Department has now adopted the policy of allowing the training colleges to train only a sufficient number of teachers to make good the wastage in each district and to provide for the normal increase in school population.”