THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17317, 17 May 1918, Page 7

THE TEACHING PROFESSION

PLEA TOR MORE GENEROUS TREATMENT. The whole question of tho position of tb« teaching profession as compared with other branches of the civil service camo before the Otago Education Board yesterday, and a strong protest on the subject was made by Mr J. H. Wilkinson. Mr Wilkinson was reporting on boh,ill of Mr Todd and himself, who wero appointed the previous day to report on suggestions forwarded by the Wellington Education Board regarding Bick leave to teachers, and particularly asking for 00-operation to bring the teaching service into line with tho publice service in this matter. Ho moved: "That r 3 , arc ' * 3 . the opinion that members of the teaching profession suffer a serious injustice owing to tho disparity in the treatment they receive when on sick leave, as compared with members of the public service, and that the Government be urged to increase the grant for relieving teachers to such an amount as will enable boards to extend as much consideration to teachers when on sick leave as is given to members of the publio service." Mr Wilkinson said that in the interests of our educational system every possible consideration should be extended to teachers, in order to produce contentment and satisfaction in their ranks. As long as any other branch of the Publio Service offered greater privileges and more favourable conditions, bo long wooild discontent continue, and so long would men fcnd women continue to leave the ranks of the teaching profession. Tho position was much more serious than the majority of people recognised. Everyone interested in the welfare of the dominion must roalise that there was something radically wrong when they were told by the Minister of Edrtcatkm that during the past three years, in addition to the 700 teachers who had ioined the Expeditionary Forces, 1900 others had left the service. It was deplorable that they shoald be faced with a situation of this kind at a time when throughout the Empire there was a feeling that, in order to meet the new conditions that would arise when the war was over, a progressive educational scheme must be brought into operation to secure a. higher standard of education, and greater efficiency among teaciicrs and, scholars. Unfortunately the Dumber of students coming forward was totally inadequate to fill the depleted ranks. They were told that 404 pnpil teachers and probationers had been appointed this year, 67 of whom were males. It was gratifying to learn that the Government had at length been brought to realise tho gravity of the situation, and had agreed to increase the salaries of pupil teachers, probationers, and college students. It was certain that the yotmg people were the country's greatest asset, and that commercial success and national prosperity largely depended on the training they received to enable them to discharge the duties of life. Owing to the /present conditions, uncertificated teachers were increasing to an alarming extent, and as these were sent mainly to small country schools it meant that those in the backbloofcs in many instances were taught by those -wfco had the most meagre qualifications for their work. We sometimes boasted about our national system of education, as if it were perfectly meeting the needs of the dominion, when ™ youqg people were simply being experimented upon by untrained and incompetent teachers. Mr Todd seconded the motion. Chairman said he was very glad Mr Wilkinson bad gone into the matter. The board was sometimes accused of not taking sufficient interest in the teacher, but those who knew it knew that they were always working to advance the teach or's welfare. Many of their uncertificated teachers m the baok-blocks were doing wonderfully good work considering their opportunities. Certainly the teaching profession was a very long way behind the privileges enjoyed by the other branches of the civil service. Mr Wilkinson: There must be something radically wrong when so many leave our service. Hie Chairman said he knew of specific instances where other branches of the Government services had attracted away •eachers by offering higher remuneration. The motion was carried.