CALLING UP OF TEACHERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17324, 25 May 1918, Page 12

CALLING UP OF TEACHERS

STATEMENT BY MIXL3TUP. OF EDUCATION. " WE HAVE -REACHED THE LIMIT." Speaking _ul a. deputation to the Hon. Mr Hunan (Minister oL Education) yesterday Mi T. Scott (chairman of the Board of Managers of the Technical School) mentioned that several ot tho teachers had been called up for military service, but tho managers, on principle, wero not appiMilinjr for tiicni. In referring to this matter, tho Minister said tnat there was a strong agitation at present for additions and improvements to tho education system, but it was difficult t > effect reforms unless there were teachers, lie, as Minister, had no right to appeal, as iho teachers were not his servants, and ho noticed that some of the boards had refused to appeal, although the fact stood out. that if reforms were to bo 'brought about there must be competent teachers. It seemed to him that the deputation, in one breath, was aslung him to recognise a scheme in connection with tho development of its agricultural courso and, in the next breath, it informed him that tho managers vero prepared to allow their teachers to go to the last man. Later on, the Minister added that lie was anxious to promote educational progress, but he viewed with much concern tho acute shortage of teachers, which was being intensified by farther teachers being called up. _ He believed if they compared the teaching profession with any other service it would bo found that, proportionaetlv speaking, a greater number of men had enlisted from its ranks than from any other public service in tho country. "This is nn eloquent tribute to the spirit of patriotism of the teachers," jadded th© Minister. " but I am inclined to think we have reached the limit."