EDUCATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10137, 27 November 1918, Page 7

EDUCATION

THE MOST PRESSING NEED. FULL SUPPLY OF TRAINED TEACHERS. The-education estimates for: the current financial year show a considerable increase over the amount expended during the previous year. This is due primarily to statutory provisions resulting from the steadily increasing school population of tho Dominion, which necessitates greater expenditure year by year in teachers’ salaries, the maintenance of bnildings and other services, more (particularly in connection with our elementary schools.. During. - the. year, in anticipation of parliamentary sanction, small-additions wore made; to the emoluments of pupil teachers, probationers, and teachers in training. In the case of these young people the position demanded prompt action, as the attractions of other occupations were cutring off the supply of applicants. The most pressing education. need at tho present time is an adequate supply of properly trained teachers, and no important step in educational progress can be made until n large increase in the number of efficient teachers has been secured- - --.•XtdßrimpDsrable fearingo-abont tho important reform of reducing ' the eizo of tho large classes in our city schools because of the acute shortage of teachers and the difficulty of securing, the proper type of young people for -tho teaching profession. Again, if we are to attain a higher standard of individual and national efficiency, the scope) of compulsory education must be extended so as to include young people up to tho age of sixteen or seventeen, who, during the most formative yeans of their lives, should be required to continue.their education in order to'’becdfne better, fitted , ns citizens, workers, and parents." This reform also is difficult to bring into operation until an increased supply of trained teachers is available; hut upon the return of our troops this should to some extent be mitigated. The services for promoting the health and the physical development of tho pupils of primary schools are being gradually extended as opportunity permits. By reason of conditions developing, the question ■ of, further steps being taken to promote; child-welfare is receiving earnest consideration. SPECIAL SCHOOLS.

During the year reforms have been made in the system relating to destitute, delinquent, and uncontrollable children and juvenile offenders, and, apart from the improvements effected in the methods of dealing with these children, substantial savings have been made not only in regard to current maintenance, but also in capital expenditure. By the oxtension of the probation system to the four centres of population, and "bv extending the boarding-out system and tho system of placing children in situations, it has been possible to close two institutions and to reduce considerably the numbers maintained at five others, with an Increase rather than a decrease in the educational benefits. Tho closing of a third institution, one of those last mentioned, is now under consideration. In spite of tho facts that tho cost of living has gone up and that allowances for boarding out children have had to be increased, also that buildings have had to be improved at a time when the expense has been high, saving effected under the new conditions for the year ending March 31st last amounted to several thousands of pounds. There are indications that, owing to various causes and conditions that are developing, this branch of tho department will have to assume increasing obligations in tho near future. TEACHERS’ SUPERANNUATION FUND. The fund amounted on December 31st, 1917, to £420,225, as compared with £381,158 on December 81st, 1916. During the year 1917 allowances totalling £5049 per annum wore granted, tho total annual rate at the end of tho year being £47,479. The number of contributors on the same date was 4792. Hitherto tho moneys of tho fund have been invested in the common fund of the Public Trust Office, tho rate of interest received, including the annual bonus granted by that office, averaging about 4.63 per cent. In view of the higher rates of interest now current it was considered that a better return could bo obtained by providing for separate control of the investments. Arrangements to this effect, which were approved by Government, were made by the Teachers’ Superannuation Board and the Public Trustee, and have been in operation since July Ist last. On that date the fund amounted to £444,237, and of that sum £319,765 is invested in securities returning interest at 5j per cent. Of tho balance, £59,824 is invested at 4)t per cent.. £26,161 at 5 per cent., and £38,460 at oi per cent.