MANAWATU TEACHERS WAIT UPON MEMBERS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6650, 2 July 1928, Page 8

MANAWATU TEACHERS WAIT UPON MEMBERS

Suggest Alterations in Education System REQUESTS CONSIDERED -REASONABLE A special meeting of tho Manawatu branch of tho Educational Institute was held on Saturday when opportunity was taken to present views on certain matters affecting the welfare of the teachers before Messrs J. A. Nash, J. Linklater and J. Gordon Eliott, M.P.’s. Headmasters’ Salaries. Mr.- H. F. Gabites, president, after extending a welcome to the members, drew attention to the salaries of headmasters of grades six and seven schools. He explained that he was not submitting a general request for increased salaries. In the past lower ranks of the service tVcre much underpaid and when the Institute drew attention to this the Government turned a sympathetic car with the result -that increases were granted. These increases were partly • to compensate teachers, for the high cost of living brought about by tho war and partly to induce a better class of entrant to the teaching profession. The highest grade teachers,' however, were largely overlooked and it was for this section of the service that he put in a plea now. A fine type of young teacher was now entering the service, but, unfortunately there was a continual loss to the profession of brilliant young mon who found the monetary inducement insufficient to keep them within its ranks. There was not sufficient difference between tho salary of a headmaster of a grade 5 school and that of a grade 6 school. The maximum salary, including all allow* cos for the former, was £525; for the latter, with, perhaps- 200 more children to superintend, £545, a difference of only £2O. This promotion from a grade 5 to a grade 6 school, especially as a teacher had to pay his own removal expenses, was too expensive a luxury for many to afford. Within tho grade 7 schools the position was just as bad. The headmaster of a , grade 7 school might receive a maximum salary of £585 for conducting a ’school of say, 500 pupils. Should he be appointed 'to the 'headmastership of a school of 850 pupils he received no increase whatever, Ho trusted that his plea might receive favourable consideration. Size of Classes. Mr. H. F. McClunc, headmaster of Hokowhitu School, spoke about the size of classes asking if the large class really existed? Ho said the Minister had given him the impression that except in certain instances, largo classes did not exist. He had secured a list of the classes in Palmerston North containing 60 children or morb. There were nine such classes constituting 15 per cent, of the total. There five classes containing between 55 and 59 pupils or eight per cent, of the whole. There were 19 containing from 50 to 54 children or 33 per cent, of tho whole. Tho classes with 40 or more pupils represented 91 per cent, of tho .whole; There were only threo classes with 34 pupils and under. These figures showed that large classes dhi exist. What is the position of country schools? asked Mr. Linklater. Mr McClunc said it was fairly bad. Asked for further figures Mr. McClunc stated that there .were 14 classes with from 45 to 49 pup’ls; seven with from 40 to 44; two with from 35 to 39; two with from 30 to 34; and one below'3o. Bight of Appeal. Tho right of appeal against nonappointment was referred to by Mr. W, A. Swinbburn, headmaster of College Street School. The Institute felt, ho said, that in the grading list they had as satisfactory an appointment list as could be desired and recognised that occasionally it had to be departed from. However, when an appointment was made not according to grading, the institute felt it should have the right to ask the reason why. He did not think such a concession would have any prejudicial effect upon education boards but certainly it would make them careful when making appointments. Orders In Council. The matter of Orders In Council, was referred to by Mr. E. Bary, headmaster of Central School, He said it was quite understood that Orders in Council were necessary for the government of the country but they should not bo used to create injustices. He referred to the recent controversy between the Education Department and. Victoria College and the matter of teachers’ sick pay, as instances where injustices were considered to have been doneSecurity of Tenure. Security of tenure was the matter spoken to by Mr. "A. W. Thompson, headmaster of Terrace End School. He pointed out that in Mr. Hogbcn’s time there was great uncertainty and instability in salaries in that at any timo after a quarter of a year, a teacher’s salary might bo reduced through reduced attendances from causes bovond his control. However, eventually the teachers were relieved of such losses through falling attendance by fjie provision that the salary could not fall so long as the teacher held the same position. Of late years, the speaker contended, the protection had boon undermined. When a position foil in value, a board was required to transfer tbe teacher to tho first position of equal value that fell vacant. If no position offered, the board was required to discharge the teacher with--n four months. Mr. Nash: Has that been enforced? Mr. Thompson could not say but the j regulation was there. Mr. Nash: It requires looking into. Superannuation. Mr. F. C. Campbell, of Terrace End

School, spoke on superannuation stating that there were three separate cases calling for recognition. Firstly there were those who failed to link up as pupil teachers; secondly, those who had the right of election as original members but elected to remain outside; and thirdly, those teachers with broken service. Mr. Cambpell spoke ' fairly fully upon each of the three cases. He contended that it was not always the fault of a pupil teacher that he failed to join the fund. Often they were not properly advised and in any case, when young, a person was not so ready to contemplate her or his position in 30 years time. As regards the second class mentioned, it had to be remembered that many teachers had prepared for their old ago prior to the superannuation fund being started, in the shape of insurances and the like. Consequently, they found themselves often unable to keep up. both insurance and superannuation and one or the other had to go. In connection with the third case—that of broken service —the speaker pointed out that often the circumstances wore out of th° teachers’ control. If the teachers outside the fund were willing to pay up all arrears with compound interest, the State stood to lose fiothing and would be conferring a great benfit upon those who now wished to join up. Probationers. The system of employing probationers was referred to by Mr. F. Moore, headmaster of West End School. He contended that there were several disadvantages id the present procedure. Thor" were not enough assistants to go round, and there was an everlasting change from one school to another with the result that efficient service was not possible. Mr. Gabites returned tbanks to the Members for having given a patient : hearing to their case, Members In Reply. Mr. Nash in reply, said one of hia pleasures in Parliamentary life, was to meet the Manawatu branch of the Institute. Requests had been made from time to time and had always been reasonable. In regard to teachers ’ salaries, a comparison with Australia showed that New Zealand teachers were very much underpaid and he had urged the'Government to do something; to give those young ,in the service some inducement to strive, for higher positions. As regards the right of appeal, he and his colleagues were out and out for .that concession; Why should it be denied the teachers when every other Department of State had it? He fully expected the request would have been granted last session. He gave assurance tbat apart from the fact that another Bill before Parliament, be, Mr. Eliott and Mr. Linklater, would take other steps to get this right for the teachers. Petitions had come before Parliament from' time to time asking for reinstatement upon tbe superannuation fund. Some had been reasonable while some were not. So far nothing had been done and he could not say as to what could, be done in the future. In respect of the size of classes, the teachers had his deepest sympathy, r Mr.. McClune’s figures would convince anyono that children could not bo taught satisfactorily under such circumstances. He had always been in favour a reduction in the size' and he would continue to work in that direction. He thought the matter of rectifying the position relating to probationary teachers was one for Education Boards to deal with. He was looking forward to the time, however, when school committees would be able to deal direct with the_ Education Department and ho felt it was not far distant. They would find him always on the side of the teachers if their requests were reasonable. Mr. Eliott pointed out tbat the maximum of £3OO per year superannuation did not apply to tbo teaching profession alone but to all State Departments. He identified bimself with Mr. Nasb in every endeavour, to improve the position of tbo teachers of New Zealand.

Mr. Linklater said he looked upon the teaching profession as the most important in the Dominion as the future of the country depended very largely on their work.' Any reasonable demands would have, his heartiest support. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Members.