TEACHERS AND THEIR CONDITIONS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 128, 1 June 1914, Page 2

TEACHERS AND THEIR CONDITIONS

DISCUSSED WITH MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IMPROVEMENTS WANTED. (BT TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, 31st May. Members of the North Canterbury Educational Institute met the local members of Parliament to lay before them the various phases of their professional life, with a- view to having them improved by an Education Bill, to be introduced next session. The members of Parliament present were :— Messrs. T. H. Davey, G. W. Russell. H. G. Ell, G. Witty, and J. M'Combs. Mr. F. T. Evans said that nine or ten years ago the profession was certainly one of the worst paid in the Dominion, and Parliament had to bo thanked for the improved conditions since that time. However, the cost of living had gone up, and, generally, the conditions had altered, so that further revision was now necessary. A teacher had to continue studying in order to keep up with ever-changing thought and con-stantly-introduced new ideas. As the home-life became less general and of less influence, the importance of the teach* ers became greater. It was the burning desire of tho teachers that there should be a definite system of grading and promotion. The present system of the appointment of teachers was rotten. 'The question of sick pay was also discussed. It might be said that they were wanting too much, and that it could not be afforded. The teachers declared that if so much could be spent on defence, something more should be done to help education. Mr. E. TJ. Just quoted the average salaries received in various trades, viz. — Telegraphists, £183 12s ; enginedrivers, £171 12s to £195 , carpenters, £149 4s to £195 ; teachers, £134 8s Bd. He Isaid that once a. pupil teacher or probationer was admitted, his work should be made as continuous as though he, or she, were employed in some other branch of the Government Service. He should not be compelled to await a place, as he very often had to do at present. '> Mr. Russell pointed out that the Bill of last isession did not actually increase the increment. It merely said that the sum of £30 increase should be got during three years instead of six. In all cases, where, compared with the other branches of the State Service, there were disadvantages. In fixing the pension, he urged that it should be based on three years, instead of the three last years, which might not necessarily be the best; nor did the house allowance count in the estimate of wages, though it was obviously intended that it should. Mr. J. Caughley pointed out that some of the improvements asked for would be of benefit to the whole State. The alteration of conditions was greater than the world at large knew. The teacher was asked now to specialise in many directions. It was time that the pupilteacher should be abolished. Training college students would be older than pupil teachers, and would think more seriously about the £>rospects of the profession before they entered it, and some falling off in the number of those coming forward ought to be expected. Poor wages and difficult conditions militated against any individual becoming an ideal teacher. It was not right that a man should have to wait for advancement until a chance came through some better place being vacant. Further grading would tend to make the staff more permanent, and this would save much of the dislocation of school work. He would urge the setting up of a Council of Education, composed of experts from all parts of New Zealand,' so that one comprehensive scheme could be drawn. Further, he would like to see grading continued to the inspectors. At present there was practically no monetary gain to a man in taking up this sort of work if he were a senior teacher. There were cases where inspectors of sheep had been paid better than inspectors of schools. In reply, Mr. Russell advised them to have the figures quoted that morning printed and posted to each member of Parliament, and also that a petition should be forwarded to Parliament, so that they might be able' to give personal evidence before a committee. Mr. Davey declared that the teachers wished to be placed on equal rates as to pay with other Government Departments. He could agree with the fairness of some of the comparisons made. He would do all he could to assist them, to the best of his ability, to get their desires, particularly as to superannuation and the cost of removal, The question of centralisation was too big a matter for them to go into that day. _ Mr. George Witty said that the £5 increase granted last year to some of them was a miserable pittance, and should be remedied in the bigger Bill of next session. Mr. M'Combs_ also spoke in favour of the teachers being supported. He believed their demands were moderate, and they would have his help both in Parliament and out.