TEACHERS' SALARIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22173, 29 July 1935, Page 11

TEACHERS' SALARIES

NEW SCALE DESIRED SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS Dissatisfaction -with the existing salary scales for teachers was expressed at a special meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute 011 Friday night. Mr. A. l?owe presided. It was stated that during the period of the Great War £40.000 was given to increase teachers' salaries, the allocation being made solely to country teachers as an encouragement to leave the cities. The increase was specified as an "extra." such as "remote allowance." In addition, senior female assistants had received "extras" in their salaries. During the depression, the speaker continued, these "extras" were taken ! away, not as reductions in salary, but j as "extras." Teachers contended that i the original £40.000 was supposed to be ■ an addition to salaries, not an "extra," ; so that the profession had been deprived j of the grant through an unfortunate wording of the clause. In view of their experience, teachers felt concern for other "extras," such as house allowance, married allowance and grading allowance. As a result of the meeting the executive of the branch was asked to consider a new salary scheme, based upon efficiency and service; the arrangement of a wide range between the commencing scale and the highest scale, to provide adequately for professional efficiency; and an overhaul of the respective scales of salaries so that there might be a proportionate relation between primary, intermediate-technical, and secondary classifications. It was also suggested that positions in the service should be defined for men and women and two scales of salaries prescribed, with provision within limits for annual increments regardless of grade of school or the staffing scale. These recommendations wore discussed at a meeting of the executive on Saturday morning, but, the chairman declined to make a statement as to the results.