Why Some Teachers Abandon Profession

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1948, Page 5

Why Some Teachers Abandon Profession

Research

WELLINGTON, Wed. (P. A.)—Research into reasons why some teachers abandon their profession soon after their training, is to be undertaken over the next few months said the secretary of the New Zealand Educational Institute (Mr G. R. Ashbridge). Preliminary work will be carried out by a Victoria University College student and it is expected that the first stages of the work will be completed early in February. “This is a problem which has been giving us a great deal of concern,” said Mr Ashbridge. “There does not seem much profit in cramming training colleges full to the doors when large numbers of students leave once their course is completed, or within the first few years of their careers.” The number of teachers in the country was too low for the task of teaching all children, he said.

The cause was not insufficient recruits, but lay at a somewhat later stage.

“Undoubtedly the highest loss among women recruits is to marriage,” commented Mr Ashbridge.

“However, whatever the other incidental causes are, we intend to find them out.” Whether the loss was due to faults in the teachers themselves, or whether it was in the community at large, the intention was to make public the results of the research.