EDUCATION YEAR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18582, 17 December 1934, Page 11

EDUCATION YEAR

BETTER TIMES AHEAD CHAIRMAN OPTIMISTIC POSITION OP, TEACHERS i "Although to have been passing through difficultTtimes. I think it is safe t 6 say .that, the country is now gradually on a return to prosperity, The times, of' course, are still difficult, but i there, certainly has' been ■an- improvement wer^the'past-year qv two," stated Mr. C?. Av Maddison, "' chairman of tne Hawke's Bay Education Board, at the \ list -mating.' 6t the year-in Napier on :^ridayi/'v' ..■• '■;. ' „.. .. , "I- am- hopeful," he continued, that

with the improved position of the country's finances, it will be possible for the Government to reinstate some of the grants that were withdrawn as economy measures. One grant which, in my opinion, calls for early reinstatements, is that of subsidies on voluntary contributions. In spite of the lack of subsidies, a tremendous amount of fine work has been done by tlTe committees in improving the school 'surroundings, and in providing extra equipment, etc., for the schools in their charge. STAFFING OF SCHOOLS "The rationing scheme for teachers without permanent employment was continued this year in an amended form. Last year unemployed teachers were appointed to schools for a term only, a certain number having to stand down each term. This year the scheme was altered to provide for lower salaries, but for employment for all on the rational list. Thus, tho salary which was formerly £IOO per annum was reduced to £6O, this latter rate being increased to £72 from August 1. "The scheme'did not turn out as an-

ticipated," stated the chairman, "mainly for the reason that there was practically no surplus in Hawke's Bay, and the requirements for relieving teachers throughout the year were such that the board were hard put to it to retain additional assistants in the schools where necessary. At the beginning of the third term the position had become somewhat acute, and as a result of representations to the department, eight rationed teachers were transferred from the Auckland district, and these were attached as additional assistants to some of the schools most in need of help. "It is quite apparent that owing to the reduced surplus, it should be possible to pay higher salaries next year. It is also quite certain that this district will require to draw fairly extensively on the surplus in other districts in order to have sufficient rationed teachers available." The chairman concluded by extending his thanks to the teachers, 'the school committees, the school inspectors, the board members, the secretary and the hoard's staff for their co-operation and work during the year.