WORK FOR TEACHERS

Evening Star, Issue 21624, 20 January 1934, Page 18

WORK FOR TEACHERS

FULL YEAR’S EMPLOYMENT MINISTER'S NEW RATION SCHEME [Per United Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, January i 9. The Minister of Education (Hon. R. Masters) stated to-day that unemployment among teachers had been engaging his attention for some time. Owing to the number of teachers who could not obtain employment it was decided in 1932. to ration as equitably as possible the work in positions which were usually filled by probationary assistants and relieving teachers, and to employ as many additional assistants as the money available would allow. These rationed teafchers were appointed in 1932 for a term at a time, and were paid at the rate of £IOO a year, together with a lodging allowance at the rate of £36 a year in the case of those whose positions compelled them to live away from home. The same scheme was in operation last year. ' It encountered some criticism because of the unavoidable changes of teachers which it necessitated. " The Minister said it had been represented to him that it would be preferable in the interests of the schools and the young teachers to employ each rationed teacher for a whole year at a lower rate- of salary. If this were done the pupils would not be adversely affected by the changes of teachers, and the teachers themselves would benefit professionally by' continuous employment. The scheme for rationing work among teachers had accordingly been carefully reviewed, and the Minister had - decided to authorise education boards to give continuous employment during 1934 to all certificated teachers who were not at present in permanent positions. These teachers will occupy the positions usually filled by probationary assistants, junior relieving teachers, and additional assistants. The salary has been fixed at the rate of £6O a year, with lodging allowance at the rate of £24 a year in the case of those teachers whose apopihtnient necessitates living away from home. Before coming to his decision the Minister placed nis proposal before the executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute, and he has been informed by the executive that it approves of the new scheme. Mr Masters said he had interviewed the Unemployment Board and secured its assistance in the matter of providing part of the cost involved. He said he wished to point out to school committees and hea dteachers that rationed teachers would be eligible to apply for permanent positions, and that as the year advanced and some schools would probably lose one or more of their rationed teachers these could not be replaced.