SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17651, 11 December 1920, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS.

POSITION IN WELLINGTON.

A report submitted by the secretary to the Wellington Education Board reveals what he describes as a " disquieting position," so far as the future staffing of our State schools-is concerned. The 'shortage in the case of probationers is particularly marked. The report says: — - " The board's requirements for the ensuing year ■ are as follows :—(1) Pupil teachers 25, (2) probationers 45, making a total of 70. (3) The numbers of qualified applicants are 16, (4) of applicants sitting for examination 6, and of applicants without qualification 2, making a total of 24 This leaves a shortage of 46. This number may be increased to 54 if the candidates mentioned in 4 and 5 fail to qualify for appointment. In so far as the future staffing of our schools is . concerned, the position thus disclosed is disquieting and propaganda work on the part of the department appears to be urgently necessary in the schools and colleges. The immediate requirements of the.service in connection with pupil-teacherships can be met by the substitution of teachers who have completed their training college course, but this will necessitate in many cases the withdrawal of the restriction which allows only one such substitution in a school.