STAFF PROBLEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27518, 12 October 1950, Page 8

STAFF PROBLEMS

Primary And Secondary Schools CHIEF INSPECTOR’S REPORT Special flo tUie Daily Times WELLINGTON, Oct. 11. By various means the number of vacant primary schools teaching positions had been kept at a minimum, but a high proportion of relieving teachers and the difficulties experienced by education boards in keeping all schools adequately staged continued to be a matter for concern, according to the annual report of the chief inspector of primary schools. Reviewing reports by senior inspectors of schools, he said that reading showed steady progress, but there was still a need for improvement in writing. The chief inspector for post-primary schools reports that there had been some protests because the university had given notices of its intention to require students for the university entrance scholarship examination to take five subjects from a revised list. This decision would lhave the inevitable effect of modifying some sixth form courses. |,

The point had j now been reached where it appetrred that different courses for a degiiee in arts or science might be required) by the four university colleges. Thetre was evidence, for example, that in lone or two colleges a degree in arts must include a foreign language unit. The introduction of varying requirements in faculties that were found in all four colleges could easily lead to confusion. In general in piost-primary schools the standards of work had been well maintained. The inspectors were positive that the standard of work in sixth forms had never bieen higher. One difficulty aonfronting district high schools was the provision of staff. Some schools, particularly district high schools in the north, were understaffed or had badly-balanced staffs. It was necessary to employ teachers who were not adequately qualified, and the outlook for the future was not bright. There was a great need of fullyqualified teachers in post-primary schools and no lessening in the demand for men.