TEACHERS' SALARIES ACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11824, 29 November 1901, Page 4 (Supplement)

TEACHERS' SALARIES ACT.

EFFECT OF THE COLONIAL SCALE. At the last meeting of the Auckland Education Board the secretary (Mr. V. E. Rice) submitted tho following memorandum bearing on the Publio School Teachers* Salaries Act, 1901, and the effect of the colonial scale upon the staffing of schools:— To the Chairman,—The Publio School Teachers' Salaries Act will come into operation on January 1 next. It prescribes (1) the number of teachers and pupil-teachers in every school for the average attendance thereat; (2) the salaries to be pfcid to teachers and pupil-teachers; (3) a house allowance to bo paid to the headteacher of every school over 20 average attendance, fo:.' whom no residence is provided; (4) provision for additions to tho teaching staff of district high schools. I STAFF. I

Regarding clause 1, a separate statement has been prepared, showing the effect of the scale upon the existing staff A new feature in the Male is tho use of the word mistress" to denote tie highest-paid female assistant in the school. The scale also permits the employment of a larger proportion of male assistants than under the Board s present scale, e.g., a school of 300 average attendance may have two male assistants instead of one, a school of 500 three instead of two, a school of 600 four instead of three. Modifications of staff are permitted, subject to certain limits. A teacher may be retained on the staff (in excess of scale) for two years from January, 1902. The Board may, with the sanction of the Minister, arrange for the modification of tho staff in any school in which the Minister may bo satisfied that it is inexpedient to bring tho new scale into immediate operation.

SALARIES. 2 Pupil-teachers aro to bo paid as follows:—First year, £20, as at present; second year, £30 (now £25); third year, £40 (now £35); fourth year, £50 (now £45): but the lodging allowance for third and fourth year pupil-teachers is reduced from £10 to £5. Fifth-year pupil-teachers are to be paid at £40 (third-year rate) unless they shall have passed the teachers certificate examination, or unless they shall bo transferred to some other school, in which case they will continue to receive £50. The salaries of assistant- are largely increased. Up to an average attendance of 30 the salaries of male and female headteachers are to be equal. Above that number a difference is made between the sexes. The effect of the scale is to reduce salaries of headtcachers of schools below 15 average attendance, and also of male headteachers of schools from 15 to 25 average. The salaries of all headteachers of schools from 26 to 450 average attendance are to be larger than under the Board's present scale: from 450 upwards the salaries will be slightly below the present scale. Until December 31, 1903, the Board may, at its discretion, continue the salary of any teacher, according to the scale which was in force at June 30 last. __ HOUSE ALLOWANCE.

3. Headteacfiers wlio are unprovided with A residence are to receive house allowance as under: Average attendance under 21, nil; 21 to 50, £20 a vear; 51 to 150, £30 a year.; 151 to 250, £55 a year; 251 to 420, £40 a year; over 420, £50 a year. These allowances and rent of school buildings may foe paid out of special vote* of Parliament for the purpose. DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS. 4. Separate provision is made by section 9 of the Act for the payment of additional teachers for district high schools, as agreed upon between the Minister and the Board. It is noticed that no provision is made ■under the new scale for the employment of substitute or relieving teachers, nor for the reimbursement to teachers of expenses incurred by them in removal from one school to another.

No special provision is made for the employment and remuneration of visiting teachers for special subjects, e.g., drill. EFFECT OF COLONIAL SCALE UPON STAFFING- OF SCHOOLS. The Act will come into operation on January 1, 1902, but the Board is invested with discretionary power to " retain on the staff of any school any teacher for whom provision is made, according to existing scale," Until December 31, 1903. The principal changes incident to the colonial scale are summarised below: Schools from 35 to 40 average attendance: For these schools the help of a pupil-teacher is no longer authorised. The schools affected by this change are:—Euckland, Henderson, Hobsonville, Hunua, Mangonui, Maungatapere, Onewhero, Opouriao North, Paparata, Paparoa, Patumahoe, Puni, Rangiaohia, Taupaki, Te Mata, Te Pahi No. 2, Tokatoka, Waiorongomai, Waipu Central, Waiwera, Whananakai iWhangarei Heads; also, possibly, if attendance should not increase, Hukerenui North, Katikati No. 2, Matakohe, New Lynn, Okaihau, Pukekohe East, Tamaki West, and •Woodside; also, "Victoria Valley, a pupilteacher promised, but not yet supplied. That is to say, 30 pupil-teachers may possibly have to be withdrawn from their present positions.

Schools from 41 to 69 Average Attendance: For these schools, now served by a pupilteacher, the scale allows a certificated assistant, with the option of substituting two pupil-teachers. The schools affected by this change are:Birkdale, Clevedon, Drury, •East Tamaki, Golden Cross, Hikutaia, Howick. Kaeo, Mangere, Marsh Meadows, ■Mania, Matakana, Maungakaramea, Maungaturoto, Mayfield, Mercer, Ohaupo, Omahu, Olaua, Otorohanga. Owharoa, Pakuranga, Pokeno, Port Albert, Puriri, Ramarama, Jlussell, Tamahere, Te Pua, Wade, Waiuku, sWhangarata, Woodhill: total; 33. And the following schools will become entitled to retain the assistants which they now have: — ■Manawaru, Opitonui, Puhoi, Totara, and ,Turua.

Schools from 61 to 150 Average Attendance: There is no change in the staffing of these schools.

Schools from 151 to 200 Average Attendance : A second assistant is granted at 151 instead of at 156, as in the existing scale. Huntly is the only school affected.

Schools from 201 to 250 Average Attendance : These schools will have a staff of three assistants and two pupil-teachers, instead of the present scale of two and three. The schools to be benefited by this change are: Cambridge, Coromanded, and Mount Albert. But schools from 241 to 250, which now have three pupil-teachers, will be entitled to two only. These are Newmarket, Northcotc, and Paeroa.

Schools Above 250 Average Attendance: The change consists throughout in giving one assistant more and one pupil-teacher less than in the existing scale. The number of schools affected by this change is 15. Sewing Teachers: The colonial scale makes no provision for the employment of separate teachers of sewing. The present number of sewing teachers is 73.

Summary: Increase in number of assistants, 52; decrease in number of pupilteachers, 84-; sewing teachers (to be discontinued), 73. These calculations are based upon the average attendance for the past four quarters. No more complete estimate can be given until receipt of the December quarterly returns of attendance. To allow of the members perusing the memorandum discussion was deferred till next ordinary meeting of the Board.