THE PAYMENT OF ASSISTANT TEACHERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8372, 27 September 1890, Page 6

THE PAYMENT OF ASSISTANT TEACHERS.

MR. UDY'S SCHEME. "ITS CONSIDERATION DEFERRED. The scheme lately drafted by the Chairman *f the Auckland Board of Education, Mr. Udy, for the payment of assistant teachers, was again before the Board yesterday. In introducing the subject, Mr. Udy read the following statement: —

Regarding the salaries of assistant teachers, the regulation now in force provides that certificated assistant teachers shall be paul as follows: Males, from £80 to £225, and fema'ss, from £50 to £120, and that, in determining their salaries, the Board will take into consideration their classification, length of service, and teaching ability, due weight being also given to proficiency in the subjects of singing, drawing, gymnastics, and needlework. No scheme has yet been attempted for equalising the salaries under this regulation ; and for the past three years there has been no systematic promotion of assistants, except that adopted in October, 1889, on the basis of classification, date of certificate, and length of "service. Formerly the salaries of •assistant teachers were fixed by a scale, according to the average attendance of the School, and to the position of the assistant in the school. Under that scale it not unfrequently happened that, owing to the accident of his or her position in a certain school, an assistant would be in receipt of a higher salary than another of equal (or perhaps higher) standing. Inequalities of salaries arising in this manner it was impossible to prevent. Owing to the large excess of assistant teachers over the number actually required, ■and to the large proportion of highly-paid assistants, the Board has hitherto refrained from committing itself to a scheme for their gradual promotion. Now, however, that the excess is being reduced, and that many of the higher-paid assistants have been appointed to the charge of schools, it seems to be a favourable opportunity to consider the whole question of arranging a scale which will secure to assistants a reasonable promotion according to their claims in respect of classification, service, and efficiency. A suitable and convenient basis of remuneration would be the grade of certificate, which depends upon the teacher's attainments, service, and efficiency combined. A scale of payment constructed on this basis would equalise salaries, and would work automatically from year to year. The scheme I propose lias been drafted accordingly for the consideration of j the Board, with a view to placing the status and remuneration of assistant teachers upon a satisfactory footing. It is designed (1) to pay to assistant teachers such reasonable salaries as will not deter them from accepting promotion {to the charge of schools ; (2) to provide for the gradual extinction of the present surplus number of assistants : (3) to regulate the employment and remuneration of ex-pupil teachers ; and (4) to avoid any possible embarrassment of _ the Board s finances. Any necessary revision of salaries in the future will be much more easily accomplished when existing complications are removed by the payment of an equal salary to all assistants of equal merit. In bringing this matter under the notice of the Board previously, a reference was made to the existing inequalities in the salaries of assistant teachers, and to the circumstances under which those inequalities arose. 1' or example, in regard to male assistants, one classified E2, with five years' service, is in receipt of £200 a-year, while another with the higher classification of El, and eight years' service, is getting £150. Again, in regard to female assistants, one classified E3, with ten years' service, has been receiving £100, while another in a neighbouring school, classified E'2, with twelve years' service, is paid £80. An E2 of ten years' service is getting only £60, while an K.> of equal service is receiving £80. An assistant classified 1).'!, with eight years' service, £110. while a 1)2 with nine years' service is paid £80. The primary object of the scale is to remove these inequalities, and (as stated in the memorandam) "to secure to assistant teachers a reasonable promotion according to their classification, service, and efficiency.' It was stated that " a suitable and convenient basis of remuneration would be the grade of certificate, which depends upon the teacher s attainments, service, andetficiencv combined. Under the regulations of the Governor-iti-Couucil relating to teachers' certificates (clause 3), "The class for which a certificate is granted depends upon attainments in learning, as proved by examination. The division in the class depends upon experience and practical skill in the art of teaching and of school management/' This is the principle of the proposed scale, which regulates the salaries of assistant teachers according to their class and to the division in that class: that is to say, according to their classification and teaching ability, due weight being assigned to both. It must be borne in mind that the mere passing an examination does not qualify for a certificate. No one can receive a certificate who has not been regularly engaged in public school teaching for at least two years ; and no certificate can be issued to any candidate until an Inspector of Schools lias testified to the candidate's practical efficiency in teaching. Inasmuch, therefore, as the scale of payment is for certificated assistants only, it cannot apply to any others than those whom an inspector has already pronounced to be practicaliy efficient teachers. As regards the comparative value of certificates, it will be seen that the scale does not £0 so far as the Government Regulations in valuing the class of the certificate. It gives much more value to practical kill and experience in teaching. By the Government Regulations, A 4 is reckoned as equivalent to Dl. By the scale aDI male assistant would receive £200 and an A 4 £120 (the same as that paid to D 3). A3 is recognised by the Government Regulations as equivalent to CI. But the scale proposes to pay a male assistant classified A3 £■'>'•) a year less than to CI. For the purposes of comparison the scale is extended as follows: —

Note.—The service dates from the time at which the teacher entered the Board's employment as pupil teacher or in any other capacity. Regarding the disproportion between the salaries of male and female assistant teachers, the following facts must be noted 1. Fivesixths of the present staff'of assistant teachers are females. 2. The number of schools for hich male assistants are required is 18, and the number of male assistants actually required for those 18 schools is !Jo. 3. The number of schools in which female assistant teachers are required is 40, and the number of female assistants actually required for those schools is 73. 4. The proportion of female candidates who offer themselves for employment is four to one of the other sex. 5. The disproportion of salary between the two sexes would be reduced by the proposed scale, which would give promotion so no less a number than 80 female assistantsthat is, one-half of the number employed, fi. The Board is maintaining a large number of female assistant teachers in excess of the number actually required in the schools. This surplus is being gradually reduced. In April last it was 110. It is now between 80 and 90. Until the stall'of assistants is brought down to the regular scale number, it is not possible to increase the salaries beyond the proposed scale. When once the surplus is extinguished, it is possible that the funds would admit of an increase being made in the scale. 7. The duty of maintaining a large number of small or "non-paying" schools, is, and always has been, a special tax on the finances of the Hoard, preventing a more liberal scale of remuneration to teachers. It was stated in the memorandum before referred to that the scale is designed " to pay to assistant teachers such reasonable salaries as will not deter them from accepting promotion to the charge of schools." It is to the staff of assistants that the Board must look in the selection of teachers for appointment to the charge of schools; and, inasmuch as the assistant teachers are mostly congregated in the town schools, >t is from the town schools that the supply must be drawn. The success attending the appointment of competent lady assistants to the charge of country schools, has abundantly proved the wisdom of this policy. The next point to be mentioned is the question of adjusting the salaries of assistant teachers according to the size of the schools in which they are called upon to teach. Reference has already been ; made to the inequalities of salary produced by the regulation under which such a Bystein was previously in force in this district. The average number of pupils to one teacher in the town and suburban schools is 33 (or 47, roll number). The classes in sole charge; of assistant teachers generally comprise one standard, or one division of a standard only, and the roll number of scholars under an a ?. istaut in the town and suburban schools varies from 40 to 70. In one instance the number is 82. In those country schools which are untitled to the ser- . vices of a certificated assistant teacher, the ;&Terage number of pupils to one teacher is 36 (or 44 roll number). The assistant teachers these schools have the sole charge of

classes comprising two or more standards of both sexes, and varying in number from 40 to 70. In one instance the roll number is 79. As regards the number of children to be taught, there is not much difference between the work of an assistant in a town school and that of an assistant in a country school. 'JLlie latter, however, has generally two standards grouped together under her instruction, the former very rarely has more than one. The assistant in the country school incurs the extra expense of living away from home, and of travelling to and from home in the vacations. A special allowance of £10 a year is granted by tl>e Board to all such assistants who are in receipt of less than £70 salary. The number of assistant teachers (as at Ist October next) is as follows :—Males, 28; females, 156 : total, 184. The number in excess of scale requirements is 86. The present salaries of assistant teachers amount in the aggregate to—males, £3780, or an average of £135 each ; females, £10,080, or an average of £63 each. The proposed scale would give an immediate increase of salary to 8 male and 80 female assistants, amounting to £850 a year. The present salaries in excess of those which would be payable under the proposed scale amount to—males, excess £500; females, excess £150. The further increases to the present staff of assistants payable during the next two years on account of length of service would be: In 1891, £300 and £160, £460; in 1892, £120 and £130, £250. The increases thus distributed over the three years would amount to the following sums : —IS9O, £850; 1891, £460; £250: total for the three years, £15611 These figures do not include any increases which may be earned in 1891 and 1892 through teachers promotion to a higher grade of certificate; but, on the other l»and. they make no allowance for a further gradual reduction during those two years in the number of surplus assistants. The number of ex-pupil teachers who may become classified iu E (or 1)) by March, 1891, is 40.

Mr. Udy went on to say that the head masters were paid according to scale, and he wanted assistants also to be paid by a fixed regulation, and not according to rule and thumb, so that no member might come to the Board and propose an increase of an assistant's salary without regard to his or her qualifications. Several members said that that had never been done.

Mr. Udy continued to say that any pupil teacher who had become qualified for the position of assistant would remain in the service of the Boord as an ex-pupil teacher until a vacancy occurred in the ranks of the assistants. In Canterbury and Duncdin filch teachers were discharged, whilst in Napier they were kept in the service. .Mr. Golpie said this step would be on a footing with the action of a master who said to his apprentice when he had completed his term, that he must continue work at apprentice's wages until there wits a vacancy for him as a journeyman.

The Chairman : Ye*, or go out. Mr. Cooj'ek thought the proper thing would bo not to make too many pupil teachers.

The Chairman said the proposed scale would prevent them from making too many pupil teachers, as whilst they had these expupil teachers they could not appoint others. He considered it would be an advantage to the Board to have their services, instead of appointing comparatively untried teachers. Mr. Udy continued his statement : —

The credit balance on maintenance account at the end of 18S3 was £990 10s yd. At 30th June, 1890—18 months later,—the credit balance had increased to £4701 4s 9d. At 30th September, 1890, after providing for all liabilities on maintenance account, the credit balance stands at about £5300. During the past three months, through resignations and appointments to the charge of schools, the number of surplus assistants has been reduced by 17, whose salaries amounted to £1410 a-year. Their places have been filled by the "employment of 17 pupil teachers, whose salaries, at an average of £30 each, amount to £510. A net saving of £900 a-year has thus been effected since July last. The changes already proposed to be made during next month will effect a similar net saving of £300 a-year. Mr. Udy then moved, "That the resolutions of the Board passed on the 11th May, 1888, regarding the status and remuneration of ex-pupil teachers shall be revoked at the 31st March, 1891, and that in lieu thereof the following resolutions shall come into force from the 31st March, 1891: —1. Ex-pupil teachers who are fully certificated shall be eligible tor appointment to the staff of assistants in order of merit, according to their length of service, classification, and teaching ability. 2. The regulations of the Board which apply to the instruction of pupil teachers shall also apply to the instruction of uncertificated ex - pupil teachers." Mr. CoorEß agreed that they were all animated with a desire to deal justly with every member of the staff; but it seemed that the chairman's proposals would not achieve this end. He proposed, "That the consideration of the matter be deferred for a fortnight.'' He should like to see a revision of the salaries of headmasters as well as of those of assistants.

Mr. Carp, seconded this amendment. .Mr. Upton agreed with tho motion. He sympathised with the chairman's object, bat he did not think that the payment of assistant teachers had in the past been so inconsistent as Mr. Udy had said. He was convinced that if Mr. Udy looked carefully at the records he would not repeat the statement that salaries had been raised in a haphazard manner. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Udy, amongst others, had been most careful that ever}' consideration should be laid before the board, and that no favour should be given to one more than to another. The board had now in their service thirty teachers who ought to be got rid of, because they were inefficient, and he thought all inefficient teachers should be dismissed before any scale was arranged ; and for that reason he considered the proposal premature. He agreed with Mr. Cooper hat they should consider the wholescale of payment. Thescheme of sending ladies to the charge of country schools had been very successful, but the Board should give those ladies fixed salaries, and the inspectors would probably make a representation to the Board upon the subject. The ladies placed in charge of country schools should not have to depend upon the average attendance. Mr. Upton objected to the term " non-paying schools," used by the Chairman. He hoped they would not look at any school as paying or non-paying, but feel pleasure that the surplus derived from the city schools enabled them to open schools in thinly-popu-lated districts in the country. The Chairman withdrew his motion, and that proposed by Mr. Cooper was adopted. Mr. Lithe said he objected to the disproportion in the proposed salaries of male and female assistants, and he gave notice of the following motion:—l. "That the scale of salaries of qualified certificated head teachers bo based on the average attendance of scholars, irrespective of the sex of the teachers. 2. That assistant and pupil teachers be paid according to their classification and rank in the schools, and in the matter of payment of salaries no difference whatever shall be made between male and female teachers."

f MALES. Division. A & B C I) K £ .£ £ £ jpjrst 2?0 210 200 ISO Second, over 8 years'service 190 ISO 170 160 Second, under 8 years'service 170 1,00 360 I'M Third, over 8 years' service.. 100 15" 140 l'-0 Third, under 8 years'service 140 130 120 100 Fourth .. .. •• 120 110 100 is) FEMALES. Division. A & B C D F, £ £ & £ First ..140 i:;o 120 11 feccond, over 8 years' service 120 110 100 90 Second, under 8 years'service 110 100 90 SO Third, over 8 years' service . 100 90 80 70 Third, under 8 years'service 9 ) 80 70 Co Fourth .. .. .. •• 80 70 CO 60