TEACHERS' CLAIMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23068, 20 June 1938, Page 13

TEACHERS' CLAIMS

SALARIES INADEQUATE PROMOTION DIFFICULTIES RETIRING AGE PROVISION [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] TIMARU, Sunday A resolution expressing strong disapproval of a memorandum recently issued by the Education Department to education boards recommending the retention of teachers in permanent positions who would normally be retiring was passed at a meeting of the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Men Teachers' Guild yesterday. Keen disappointment was expressed at the delay which had taken place with regard to salary increases. Mr. F. R. Price, Dominion secretary, said teachers had not at any time during tho last 15 years been worse off than at present. Tho restoration of salary cuts had been largely offset by increases in the cost of living, while the remote allowances, educational bursaries and allowances for teachers in schools associated with training colleges had not been restored. Position Not Realised Tho secretary said he believed that the Education Department did not realise how difficult promotion had become in recent years. The average grading number necessary in 1937 to secure a Grade 1, would in 1925 have secured a Grade 2 assistantship, or a head teachership of a Grade 3A school. Similarly, grading to-day which would secure for applicants only a Grade 3 assistantship would 'in 1925 have obtained a head teachership of a Grade 5A school. For all grades of position a teacher required to be graded from 25 to 40 grading marks higher than in 1925. Additional Teaching This represented an average of six years' additional teaching. The number of Grade 7 schools had dropped in that period from 99 to 75, with drastic effects upon promotion. Tho departmental regulations regardthe staffing of schools contributing to intermediate schools, Mr. Price continued, would seriously affect the number of senior assistantships available. Applications to the Educational Institute for grants from the benevolent fund had been more numerous and for greater amounts during the last 12 months than during any previous period of tho fund's history.