YOUNG TEACHERS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 20, 24 January 1924, Page 9

YOUNG TEACHERS

ALLOWANCES REDUCED

BREACH OF FAITH ALLEGED.

A -breach of faith is alleged against the Education Department in reducing^ the allowances payable to pupil teachers and probationers while they are attending the training colleges, states the "Taranaki Herald."

As far as salary is concerned the reduction amounts to £15 per annum the cut in the allowances payable while at the training colleges being £20 per annum. The revised scale of salaries and allowances was before the Taranaki Education Board at its meeting last week in the form of a confidential letter from the Department. This, however, has since been made public by1 the statement of the Hon. C. J; Parr (Minister of Education). The feeling expressed at the meeting of the Taranaki. board by several members was that the reductions constituted a distinct breach of faith, and it was decided to protest to the Department.

The particular ground of objection was in respect to the training college allowances. It was considered that even with the old scale, parents have a i difficult task in maintaining the young teachers at tho colleges, and that the enforcement of the reduction will close the doors of the profession to many promising candidates. Further, it was stated that there could be no doubt that many parents, when considering the teaching profession as a career for their boys and girls, had given their assent on the belief that the allowances would cover expenses and would not necessitate a heavy call on their purse. On that assumption, it was said, a. good many of the young teachers whose appointments were announced last week decided to join the profession. In addition to supporting the protest as a member of the Education Board, Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., has also taken up the question with the Minister as .nember for Taranaki. Last Wednesday he sent the following telegram to Mr. Parr:—"Desire enter strong protest against proposal reduce salaries pupil teachers and probationers and allowances training college students. My view is that reductions are breach of faith, will undo good work inducing suitable applicants enter teaclnng profession, and that Parliament will not approve this special further cut in these salaries. Hope can be reviewed."

On Thursday the following reply was received from Mr. Parr :^"You'r telegram received and protest noted. I would point out that no present holder of position is being reduced, future appointments only being affected. New Zealand students receive much higher allowances than those obtaining in other countries. No other country offers such generous initial salaries to beginners of 16 or 17 years of age. In any case, the salaries of pupil teachers and probationers will be higher than those of young people entering the Public Service, and I am satisfied there will be no falling otf in the quality of entrants to the profession."

On Saturday morning Mr. Smith again communicated with the Minister, when he telegraphed : —"Notwithstanding your reply, fact remains that the proposal for reducing salaries pupil teachers and probationers is a breach of faith. This reduction and lowering of. allowances to training college students will react by preventing many suitable and desirable boys and girls entering profession. Your remarks in the Pr.eso omit a^y referenco this cliace."- -