ADMISSION TO SCHOOLS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18890, 16 December 1935, Page 4

ADMISSION TO SCHOOLS

YOUNGER PUPILS RETURN STAPPING PROBLEM 11.8. BOARD WAITS ACTION

The fact that the readmission of the five-year-olds to the primary schools of the Dominion will mean a considerable strain upon the various education boards to furnish teachers to handle the influx of young pupils was emphasised at the monthly meeting of the Hawke’s Bay hoard, held in Napier on Friday. The chairman of the hoard, Mr G. A. Maddison, made special reference to the new problems raised, while at the same time expressing satisfaction concerning the Government’s plans regarding the extension of facilities for training teachers, and the readmission of the five-year-olds into the schools. The rationing of teachers during the past year, said Mr Maddison, had not been ‘successful from the point of view of the board or the teacher, as staff appointments had bad to be filled by young teachers at rationed salaries; and tiie announcement that salaries would return to schedule rates for the new year was gratifying to the board and teachers alike.

Mr Maddison pointed out, however, that the rationing scheme and the limitation of training facilities during recent years had created a shortage of teachers and that it would not be possible immediately to secure the services of a sufficient number of trained teachers to carry on, without some difficulty. The annual wastage from the profession, for various reasons, was about 400, and as there were approximately only 130 surplus teachers at the beginning of the year, difficulty can be expected in filling vacancies as' they occur during 1936. The readmission of five-year-olds would accentuate the position. It liaff been announced, Mr Maddison mentioned, that 550 students are to he admitted to the training colleges for the coming year, and that the quota for Hawke’s Buy would be 40. He doubted if the quota could be filled, one influence against fulfilment being the cutting down of allowances of students to such an extent that the average parent lias been unable fo face the cost of sending his son or daughter for training for the profession. Steps were being taken, the chairman continued, to ascertain accurately the effect of readmission of five-year-olds on the school rolls, so that the situation could he met in the best way possible. Down-grading of schools and the transfer of teachers made necessary by that system had added to the disabilities under which education had been carried on, and school work had been disorganised by the same factors. There was urgent need for a system which would ensure greater stability in school staffs. In this connection, he considered that the board should stay its hand in regard to certain transfers previously proposed, since the readmission of five-year-olds would make a difference in the roll strengths of many schools which were affected by the proposed changes.