TEACHERS' SALARIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12427, 16 February 1901, Page 4

TEACHERS ' SALARIES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l do not think the North Canterbury Board of Education has any cause to wonder why there are not more male pupil teachers coming forward. Of course the pay given when they are still on the pupil-teachership is fair compared with the pay of other apprentices. When, however, they nave successfully passed all examinations and "are asked to take a school with a salary of £4O (tji-a actual pay ©f a D certificated master), the thing becomes an absurdity. Even then the salary is not sure, for at any time, a family or two may leave the district, and the teacher must starve. Fancy a man, after working honestly for a decade or two, receiving £3O or £4O per year less than at the beginning of that period. Then, at present, there is no sensible system of promotion; it is all a matter of chance, influence or some other peculiar reason and, till our educational authorities wake up and improve on the old antiquated style now in vogue, education, as a whole, must suffer.—l am, etc., ANTI £4O PER YEAR. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—“ Major Pendennis,” in his letter, points out why clever boys shun the teaching profession, but I would like, in the interests of a sweated class, to draw public attention to our cruel pupil-teacher system. The regulation day’s work of a pupil-teach-er is only six hours, five' of teaching and one of tuition by the headmaster; but regulations, as everyone knows, are wonder- ; fully elastic, and tc. these six hours have -to be added the time spent in keeping-in, correcting exercise-books, and additional studies. There are pnpilteaohers who twork eight hours a day in I fancy 'that is about the maximum sweating limit, apd this work requires great physical strength and the exercise of the very highest and noblest mental faculties, and) it must not be forgotten that the hardest of hard work is often dene in crowded, ilSrcmtilated rooms. Then, when other apprentices are talcing needed! recreation, the pupil-teacher sits down to three or four jtours’ of study, and in many cases studies are carried on oru Saturdays and) holidays. X have had opportunities of watching closely the habits of scores of ithe genus pupil'teacher, and white slavery is the 'mildest term one can apply to the average apppen;|ice. Yet,people ask in astonishment wiry leaohers have such dyspeptic stomachs, such 'nerves. - defective t ! hrp^s, v

All -this is bad enough, but a worse evil is creeping into the system, aspirants for pupffl'-teaoheir’s places often give a year or even two’s service gratis as monitors, in order to establish a claim for appointment. Legislation has made this impossible in. the trades and businesses, and, the errand-boy gets his f«w shillings a -week. GxjJjT in the case of the non-paid- monitor does 'the law look on with smiling approval.—l am, etc., HODGE.

TO THE EDITOR

Sir,—Your correspondent “ Pendennis ” is evidently not satisfied with the “Major’s” explanation re the shortage of male pupilteachers. Jfot having read the latter’s letter, “ Pendennis ” will pardon me if I unfittingly traverse the same grounds. A reference to the records of the past fifteen years will, I think, give all the explanation required. In 1885 the female pupil-teachers outnumbered the male by less than two to one, whereas at the present time, so it is stated, there are five females to each male. Turning to certificated teachers, we find that at the present time the proportion of female to male is about seven to six. This evidently snows that a large proportion of female teachers leave the service either immediately or shortly after serving their apprenticeship. They have practically received a free education and earned something about equivalent to a charitable dole in a calling which, to the nndtiated, appears more dignified than that of dressmaking or domestic service. Probably those who by force of circumstances are compelled to remain in the service little suspected a few years ago that such would he their fate and for most of them there seems- no alternative but to toil on until they can take refuge beneath the Old Ago Pension Act. The male, however, knows that he has to support himself at least, - without the prospect of emancipation, and in looking round for a trade or profession he naturally selects that which promises to benefit him most financially.. There was a time when there was no shortage of 'male pupilteachers,'but tjiat was when the salaries of Certificated teachers were not reduced to starvation point. To conclude, there are two courses open to a lad. First, a trade, eight hours a day, with at 'least eight or ten shillings a day after serving apprenticeship ; perennial assistance and protection of Arbitration Court; vine and fig-tree. Secondly, teaching, teach MI day, grind at night, examinations galore, certificate, more exams., lucubrations, exams., fees, degree, thirty-five bob a week, old age pension. Tommy ain’t a bloomin’ fool, Jou bet that Tommy sees. —I am, etc., WARRINGTON/