TEACHERS' SALARIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20309, 17 July 1929, Page 14

TEACHERS' SALARIES.

Sir, —I certainly agree that the proposed new salary scheme for teachers is a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Those low down on the list are not going to be as well off as under the present scheme. We are told by the executive of the institute that the present scheme is unwieldy and hard to understand, but if a person of average intelligence sits down and studies it carefully I do not think it is any harder to comprehend than tha proposed scheme. The salary of each grade is set down, and beside it a grading addition, which varies according to the place held! on the graded list. This amount increases as the teacher rises on the list, even though ho or she has reached the maximum salary of a grade, and so a teacher, who perhaps does not desire, for family reasons, to apply for a higher position to which he is entit.ed by his grading, will receive grading increment as his position on the graded list entitles him. Then, again, the institute tells us that it is difficult to compute one's exact salary when applying for a new position. I, for one, have been ablo to compute my monthly salary to tho nearest penny, deducting superannuation, in four positions held by mo under the existing scheme. The rank and file, I think, as a majority, are satisfied at present, but the bigger headmasters claim that they are underpaid. We would lika to see them receiving adequate remuneration, but not at the expense of others in the profession. Let all my fellow teachers look at the proposed scheme and tho_ department's tentative suggestion contained in this month's issue of the Education Gazette. Assistants, fourth class, 162 onwards; sole or head teachers, fourth class, 142 onwards. Now, in tho last issue of National Education, there were 12 sole and head teachers appointed whose grading was from 142 onwards —some of these to grade 3a positions, and there are grade 2 assistants who are in 162 onwards. Now we are told that _ these people are to receive no reduction in salary, but unless they are exceptionally brilliant thev will have to mark time for a very long'whilo at their present salary under tho new scheme. Tons VnußtJs.