EDUCATION IN SOUTHLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13875, 12 April 1907, Page 5

EDUCATION IN SOUTHLAND.

INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF QUALIFIED TEACHERS. (Per Uxited Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, April 11. Tho annual report of the Southland Education Board states that the supply oi fully-qualified teachers during the year has been quite inadequate, resulting in a eoustant succession of vacancies, many of which have had to be filled by persons, of little or no experience. There were in the board's service at the close of 1905 no less than 63 teachers, exclusive of pupil teachers, who had neither certificate nor license to teach. Tho report states that while this condition ot affairs exists it is to bo feared that tho progress of education in the district, especially the remote parts, will bo retarded. In tho pupil teachers' branch of the service there is more than ample supply, especially of females. As to high schools, it is stated that there has been difficulty in obtaining competent special assistant?, and that tho absence of literary qualification on the onfi baud and of teaching experience on the other .has proved detrimental to tho progress of higher education in the district. The board is of opinion that tho salary of (he special assistant, where one is employed, should be £200 a year.