UNEMPLOYED TEACHERS.

Evening Star, Issue 19521, 31 March 1927, Page 11

UNEMPLOYED TEACHERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —A spirit of righteous indignation is gradually filling the hearts of the numerous unemployed teachers. They have entered Training College upon the signature of a bond which obligates them to serve three years’ teaching in a Government school, or to forfeit the cost of their training. Many while still in the college have a desire for secondary school teaching, and to prepare themselves thereto study hard at the University for their degrees. Having completed their training they now stand ready armed and eager for work. There is no place for them. None can obtain a position. _ Even relieving work is so scarce that in five months one Is lucky to got three weeks’ employment. The Government discusses the advisability of permitting married women to remain in ’the profession, but nothing happens.' Swarms of the unemployed troop up to.the Education Office The secretary is too busy to see anyone. Hot arguments ensno with the office men, but still nothing happens; The department has obviously let far too many through the college; it cannot find them employment, yet still it holds to the validity of the bond. What is to happen to ajl these trained unemployed teachers? They are mere mortals, and cannot live on air. They must take up work of some other kind. Yet the Education Board is so lacking in common reason that it quietly remarks: “ v on have sworn to teach for three years. By doing other work or by tcacbin~ in a private school you are ignoring your bond. You will he called on to pay up.” Tho teacher’s reply is that by force of necessity they ignore the bond, and shall continue to ignore it. They have waited for you, and you have failed them. Can the Education Department thcn_.be justified in demanding their prodigious sums of money from the imfecumous students it has let down?— am, etc., 1927 Graduate. March 30.