TEACHERS' DEMANDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 211, 6 August 1945, Page 5

TEACHERS' DEMANDS

FOR SMALLER CLASSES

(Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 4. Teachers of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute at a meeting today voiced indignation at the continued delay in reducing the size of classes. Over 100 members unanimously passed a resolution calling for a marked improvment in staffing by next year. After a full discussion the following resolution was passed: "That this large and representative meeting of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute requests the New Zealand executive to urge the Education Department and the Government to introduce more liberal staffiing for all types of schools as from February 1, 1946, and that priority in such increases be given to primary . schools where the need is greatest. "This it urges (1) as the first need of children in our schools, and (2) as a means of full employment for younger teachers, especially servicemen. Unless this relief in staffing is forthcoming this branch pledges itself to further and stronger action." Speakers stated that classes of over 50 children were being taught in dirty illheated classrooms and often the teacher had more than one to teach. There was ,a gross shortage of equipment and teachers were struggling to carry out new and different techniques under impossible conditions. Certainly the war had made the Government's position difficult, but it was stated that continued postponement of relief could no longer bo tolerated. Hundreds of additional teachers had been trained since 1939, and it was now time that schools and the (tacJiers should benefit.