SURPLUS TEACHERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 685, 10 June 1929, Page 11

SURPLUS TEACHERS

NUMBERS ARE INCREASING MINISTER ASKED TO ACT The unfortunate position of the unemployed school teacher was placed strongly before the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. Atmore, on Saturday, by a large deputation from the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. r jPHE Minister was asked either to - 1 reduce the size of classes or to limit the number of people entering the training colleges each year. He was sympathetic with the request, and said that both points were receiving attention. i Mr. S. Walker (president) said that the request gave the institute great concern, particularly in Auckland, which was so large a district. Six teachers who had left the training school in 1923 had not had permanent employment yet: in 1924, seven; in 1925; 12; in 1926, 23; 1927, 103. As these figures were progressive, the position would not be improved by 1930, as the Hon. Sir James Parr had said. To Mr. Atmore: We said that none of the teachers had temporary employment, but relieving work gave them no standing. They had no chance to increase their grading, because the inspectors did not see them. The Auckland Education Board was doing its best, but was hampered by circumstances. Some of the pleas to the institute were pitiful, and the teachers laboured under a sense of injustice, because of the bond which they had to sign to j teach for at least three years. . The numbers of entering teachers j would have to be reduced — The Minister: That will have to be ! done. Mr. Walker said that a better method could be evolved, and now there was a j golden opportunity to reduce class numbers and provide more positions. The whole solution of the problem would be to make present and future probationary assistants supernumerary | to the staff, and to make the positions they occupied at present permanent. Mr. F. A. Garry stressed the import- : ance of the superannuation fund prob- , lem, for teachers could not subscribe ■ to the fund until they had permanent j positions. The Minister said that now was not the time to make any increase in the cost of education, but he was as anxious as the department to see the sizes of classes reduced. This would mean more expense, but must be done. The number of teachers admitted to the training colleges must be reduced, for there were not enough positions to provide for the teachers leaving the colleges. Classes also would be continuously reduced, so that more positions would be available. Regarding training colleges, the Minister said that it appeared to him that many trainees were merely receiving subject matter for teaching, and not training. Thus the colleges were not fulfilling their objects. He wished to make it clear that his remarks did not reflect on the principals of the colleges. He would consider the question, and would reply at an early date. He hoped to take such steps that there would be no recurrence of the problem.