TEACHER SHORTAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23527, 16 June 1938, Page 9

TEACHER SHORTAGE

COUNTRY DISTRICTS MEASURES TO MEET NEED SERIOUS PROBLEM IN AUCKLAND (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, June 15. Extreme measures are urged by the Education Department to meet the need for more teachers to relieve the present serious shortage in country districts in a memorandum presented to the Auckland Education Board this morning. The department urged the retention of “ reasonably efficient ” teachers, who would normally be retired, "he reengagement of retired teachers, and other measures intended to meet the temporary acute shortage. To encourage the enrolment jf teachers, it was notified that from June 1 married male student teachers are entitlted to be paid allowances totalling £-209 15s. This information was given when it was noted than an amended regulation relating to the Training College stated that a married male student may be paid, with the approval of the Minister, a further special allowance not exceeding the amount by which his other allowance or allowances taken together, payable under sub-clauses 2 and 3. are less than E 209 15s.

“Very liberal treatment,’' commented Mr T. U. Wells, who presided. Mr Wells pointed out subsequently that at the presei. time were allowed £7O annually if they were living at home and an extra £3O if they were living away from home. The new allowance, therefore, meant an increase to married students of from £lO9 15s to £139 15s. There were at present four married students at the Auckland Training College. Officers of. the board pointed out that, though the main shortage of teachers was in Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki, there was a serious problem at present in the staffing of country schools, particularly in the North Auckland district. Recently between 40 and 50 positions requiring female assistants for country schools had been advertised without response. The Auckland Board was at present employing about 100 married women teachers, a number of previously retired teachers and several uncertificated teachers. All the measures suggested in the department’s memorandum were at present in operation. " it is only a temporary shortage. Mr Wells said, when an inquiry was made from him. “ There are over 200 students to go out of the Training College at the end of the year.