DRAIN OF WAR ON SCHOOLS

Southland Times, Issue 24574, 24 October 1941, Page 4

DRAIN OF WAR ON SCHOOLS

TEACHERS CALLED UP FOR SERVICE DIFFICULTY OF FINDING SUBSTITUTES The difficulty of finding temporary teachers to fill the positions of men called up to serve in the Terntonal Force for the duration of the war was discussed at the meeting of the board of the Southland Technical College last night. It was stated that one teacher of the college had already been called up and would go into camp'at the beginning of the year, and that there was the possibility of the services of two other teachers being required by the military authorities. The chairman (Mr J. H. Reed) said that the board fully recognized the need for the adequate defence of the country, but the difficulty of getting temporary teachers should also be recognized. The principal (Mr C. A. Stewart) said that the men most difficult to replace were those who taught trades subjects, science and mathematics. However, he supposed they would have to do the best they could. Other schools had been worse hit than the Southland Technical College. The Christchurch Boys’ High School had lost nine members of its staff. Mr H. C. Gimblett: There is a better chance of filling vacancies in Christchurch than in Invercargill. Mr Stewart: I pointed out to the Man-Power Committee that we are worse off than schools in university centres, and that it is easier to get teachers to go north than to come south. Mr Gimblett: I feel that territorial training is not so important as training for overseas service and that men occupying less important positions than those of teachers could be found for the territorials. It is not in the public interest to take men away from the schools and it is not in the best interests of the children to have secondrate teachers. If necessary the chairman and the principal should give evidence before the Man-Power Committee.

Referring to the teacher who had been called up, Mr Stewart said he assumed that his case had been referred to the Education Department and that the department had indicated that there would be no undue hardship if he were called, up. It was decided to ascertain from the department if that were the case.