HOME SCIENCE TEACHERS

Evening Star, Issue 23354, 25 August 1939, Page 8

HOME SCIENCE TEACHERS

CAUSES CF SHORTAGE AUCKLAND PROPOSAL NOT DESIRABLE Difficulty has been experienced by the Auckland Education Board in obtaining teachers of domestic science, and recently it was decided to make representations to the Education Department with a view to having the position remedied. At the present time the only training centre for these teachers is at Otago University, and it was considered that this was largely the reason for the shortage, as a large proportion of those taking the course were from the South Island, and these, on graduating, preferred to take positions near their homes. Two years ago the Auckland Board proposed that teachers should be trained at the Seddon Memorial Technical College, or imported from Melbourne, where there was a surplus. The subject has again come to the fore in northern papers. Both of these proposals were scouted by Professor A. G. Strong, of the domestic science faculty of the Otago University, when interviewed yesterday. Professor Strong gave a resume of the whole position and of the difficulties that were presented. Beginning with the depression, when the training colleges were reduced, the home science bursaries were also cut to almost nothing. The numbers of students taking the course fell from 120 to 80. Another cause of the present shortage was that marriages were postponed in the depression, and the numbers of home science teachers retiring on account of marriage were reduced. Students, when these positions remained closed to them, found it necessary to go into other vocations, many finding positions as institutional managers and demonstrators. Some went abroad to study dietetics and train as dietitians. Australia offered many openings, and, indeed, the shortage of home science teachers there at present was such that within the last fortnight letters had been received calling for not less than a dozen of the Otago graduates. During the past three years the bursaries had! been increased, and each entering class had numbered not less than 50. therefore there would shortly he (plenty of home science graduates. Whether these go in for teaching or not may be questioned, as the Government Health Department is interested in securing them as pupil dietitians in hospitals, and this vocation appeals to many of the students. Daring the time of shortage many of tho married graduates have managed to return to teach in the schools temporarily. It is a matter worth noting that though the majority of graduates pay their own expenses, there is but a minute fraction of them which fails to enter a vocation, as their feeling of social responsibility to the community is strong. The number who come from tho North Island is 59 out of a total of 136, or oyer 43 per cent. There are 10 North "Island students in the final year, out of a total of 16. Further than that, South Island girls, contrary to the Auckland theory, have proved very eager to go to the North Island to take positions, A North Island position gives them a good opportunity to travel and see their country. OBSTACLESrTO NEW SCHOOL. In order to train domestic science teachers in a technical college it would bo necessary to secure larger and more specialised staff, as well as equipment, if the training were to bo adequate. “ They could, doubtless, be taught to cook and sew, but that is by no means wljat is understood by home science teaching,” said Professor Strong. “ These are but means_ to au end. Home-making in the wider sense is the aim, which includes a knowledge of nutrition, home management, family relations, child care, home nursing, house planning, and furnishing.” These functions of home science were the application of science to every-day life. A foundation of pure science was necessary for those who were going to teach.

It required a staff of more than 20 at the Homo Science School to prepare these young women for their vocations. Why duplicate? What was ■ really needed, instead of more • training centres, was enlarged laboratories at the school to provide for the everincreasing number of students, and a new hostel in which to practise what they were taught as well as to secure decent conditions of living.

ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTIONS. A proposition has been made to the Director of Education that students Avho are Avithin one year of graduation be alloAved to go out and teach for a year before completing their course. Twenty-six students had_ expressed their Avillingnoss to do this, and, by the folloAving year, there would be a larger number coming on to take their places. If the _ Education Board Avere Avilling to appoint these young Avomen next year, there need be no tear of a shortage of teachers in the future. Already there Avere more than 60 applications from young • Avomen Avho wished to enter the scliool. next year. “ What the Education Board should demand of the department is that they should provide more laboratory and hostel space for the present school and then there Avonld he no need for further worry,” continued Professor Strong. It should bo pointed out that bursaries are iaoav granted to students taking their first-year in the local University, and that they have been extended to cover the full time for their training in the Home Science School. Formerly this did not obtain. Bursaries cover the cost of board and university foes, so that travelling and incidental expenses are all Avith Avliich a student need he provided. Since opportunities for graduates are so many, it is a good investment for any girl to borroAV money if necessary for this part of her training.