TEACHERS’ HOURS AND WORK

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 258, 9 October 1931, Page 3

TEACHERS’ HOURS AND WORK

(To the Editor.) Sir, — . I must confess that “Cow Cockie” has given me the impression'that he is really a busy man. His letter offering congratulations and some valuable and enlightened advice to the Minister of Education appeared in your issue of Friday last, and it has taken him the greater part of a week to frame a reply to my letter. He really has my sympathy. It has been suggested to me that perhaps he has been out of town for a few days—lucky chap!—but maybe he has been waiting for Mr. Masters to announce his policy so that he could say “I told you so." Now, Sir, I congratulate “Schoolboy” on his letter. He stated his case very well and I am pleased to think that the schodls to-day are turning out hoys who can think clearly and logically, and who are not afraid to voice their opinions in good debating style. My young friend’s teachers have every reason to be proud of the product of their school, for I am sure “Schoolboy” is representative of the majority of the students. “Cow Cockie” evidently resented my mention of the Police Force as a branch of the Public Service which he was so anxious to assist. Does he think my friends in the teaching service might be too severe on those celebrating the festival season? But if the schoolteachers are to assist the Postal Department, then why not the Police, and even the Plunket Society for that matter?

As I pointed out in my letter of Saturday, some of my “teacher” friends are quite looking forward to a Christmas carrying letters. They hope that their many parent friends will not “treat” them too liberally while they are on their rounds, else “Cow Cockie” may not get his mail at all. After reading “Cow Cockie’s” letter last night, I strolled round to see my schoolteacher friend. He had not read the letter nor had he had ' time to even look at that evening's “Post” up to then. The poor fellow was sitting at his table almost submerged in books. He informed me that he had just finished marking a pile of essays (without the use of an answer book) and a whole lot of history and geography projects. I admired the latter; they were excellent pieces of individual work; but what a task my friend had! Although the hei r was laie, he was still engaged in '-citing up his work for’'the next do’/, and then, he said, he would settle down to do some “swot.” “Swot!” Alas! Does "Cow Cockie’ know what that means? Something dreadful, I can

assure him. I have known people to resort to Wet towels for the head, and basins of cold water for the feet to keep themselves awake. I am given to understand that a teatiher’k life is one of almost continual study;' study that takes up many tong years of the teacher’s early life, and many, many pounds of his all too small salary. “Cow Cockie” can take my word for it; he does not know what long hours are. He will no doubt admit that he gets a good four hours sleep before midnight. If he doesn’t, why not? And one hour before midnight is as good and better than two Ijours after midnight. I venture to say that a - good many schoolteachers burn the midnight oil studying, and few there are who get as many hours sleep as “Cow Cockie.” And he would have us believe that the teacher works only five hours a day, and lives in a virtual paradise. My friend assures me that the teachers are looking to Mr. Masters to reorganise the department in the best way possible under the circumstances, and speaking personally, he says he regrets that there are not half a dozen more in the Cabinet like Mr. Masters. He feels sure that Mr! Masters, as Minister of Education, will be guided by those best fitted to advise him, and maybe “Cow. Cockie” will see some of his bright ideas embodied in the education policy. Thanking you, Sir, for your valuable space.—l am, etc., “TOWNIE.” P.S. —My friend wants to know what “Cow Cockie” thinks of his suggestion that farmers and teachers should co-operate for their mutual advantage.