TEACHING PROFESSION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 54, 4 March 1918, Page 3

TEACHING PROFESSION.

CONDITIONS CRITICISED. DISCUSSION BY THE BOARD. Strong colnment on what was termed the inadeqilate remuneration provided for pupil-teachers was made by members oi the Auckland Board of Education . The subject was brought up by receipt from the Education Department of memorandum asking for a . return showing the number of applications received for employment as pupil-teach-ers and probationers, the .qualification? of those appointed, . and whether the i board had had any difficulty in findI ing suitable candidates and whether j many of those appointed subsequently ' abandoned teaching. | 'Mrs R. L. Baume (according to thrI Herald report) said the best brains of ' the community were being lost to the ' teaching profession, owing to the con- : dition attaching to the pupil-teacher service, and the emoluments provided. ; The position had always been unsatisfactory, and it would remain on that basis until the pupil-teachers system i wa? abolished. ! Other members expressed similar opinious, Mr Gairl'ind describing the position as a public scandal. 'Mr E. G. Banks, who is also a mem- > ber of the Council of Education, said ') that at a recent meeting of the council it was practically resolved that the I remuneration of pupil teachers be increased by an average of £2O per anI num. ■ Mr F. W. H. Brinsden said the real difficulty arose when the time came for pupil-teachers to enter the training college. Starting at £35 per annum, with a boarding allowance, the remuneration was increased by annual increments to £55 and allowances. Then, at a time when their teaching value was greatly enhanced, and wiien their brains should be secured to the community, pupil-teachers were asked to enter the training college, at a considerably reduced' emolument. Under those conditions a teacher was obliged to fall back on his parents for support, and that at a time when every young man would, or should, be looking forward to maintaining himself. (Mr E. C. Purdie, advisory inspector to the board, said that for many reasons teaching jwa<; unattractive to the type of young people who should be induced to enter the service. The efficiency of the education "system was being destroyed, as not only were people with brains not being attracted to the profession, but the Department was also losing them. This was due to the | smali emolument, improper staffing of schools, improper equipment, and the unattractive environment. It was ner cessary to attract the best intellect and finest characters to the work, of teach- , ing, and such a thing was possible only if proper conditions attached to the service. Tthe proposal of the Council of Education was an important forward step in that direction. The board decided that the Information aslted for be given, and that accompanying it should be a presentment by the secretary and advisory inspector of the conditions that in the past and at present militate against the best material offering.