RATIONING OF TEACHERS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1933, Page 7

RATIONING OF TEACHERS

REPLY TO MR. D. P. EVANS STATEMENT .BY HON. BTKSHEKER. ACTION SUPPORTED GENERM&T. A definite reply to the criticism made by the Acting-Minister 'of Education (the. Hon. J. Bitchener) of his statement regarding the rationing of teachers in schools was given last , night by Mr. D. P. Evans, headmaster of the Central School, New Plymouth. In Wednesday’s issue of the Daily News there appeared an extract from Mr. Evans’ report to the Central School Committee condemning the scheme as an injustice to the children. In spite of the Minister's remarks, said Mr. Evans, he still maintained. that the system of rationing was radically wrong. Mr. Bitchener said the department was aware that the system involved changes of teachers, but he did not think that the effect of the changes on the pupils was so serious as the headmaster had stated. The Minister pointed out that the New Zealand Educational Institute ( had given general approval to the scheme. Financially and professionally he thought it had been of great benefit to a large number of young teachers. Mr. Bitchener explained that before the scheme was put into operation at the beginning of 1931, it was submitted to the education boards arid the New Zealand Educational Institute for consideration. It was pointed out to them that staff changes were unavoidable. The boards received it sympathetically and gave it general approval and acceptance. The institute expressed its thanks for the scheme and its general approval and acceptance. “The object of the scheme,” said Ma. Bitchener, “is to distribute as evenly as possible the work available for teach- # ers not in permanent positions. The supply of teachers exceeds the positions z available for them, and in 1931 a number of young teachers received no employment at all. With the introduction of the rationing scheme all received some employment.” "GREAT BENEFIT FTNANCIALLY.” The Minister thought that the scheme had been of great benefit financially and professionally to a large number of young teachers. The alternative to the r scheme was to allow the requisite number of probationary assistants and relieving teachers to receive the salaries \ provided by the regulations and to leave a large number of teachers with little or no work during the year. He did not s think that such a course would meet with the-approval of the - teaching service throughout the Dominion. Mr. Bitchener said that? if correctly reported, the headmaster was under a misapprehension in regard to the salaries paid to rationed teachers. The minimum ratd of salary was £lOO a year ..In addition, a teacher under the scheme who was obliged to live away from his usual place of residence was paid actual and reasonable expenses of transit to and from the place in 'which he was so employed; and also, during the period of absence, an allowance at the rate of £36 a year. A teacher who did not receive this, allowance and required to travel more than four miles daily to school was paid actual and reasonable travelling expenses. at a rate not exceeding £24 a year. The department would be pleased to receive and to consider any alternative scheme which must, however, not involve an increase in the money that had been voted for- salaries. ■ ■ His statement about the salaries paid to the rationed teachers was apparently misunderstood by the Minister, said; Mr. Evans. In his report he had said that “the system employed is vicious in principle and that to give employment to a teacher at a munificent salary of about £3O for a year, a class, say of fifty pupils, is ■ sacrificed.” Mr. Bitchener claimed that the minimum rate bf salary for rationed teachers wa»JElOO r a yearj but very often they were employed, for only one term in the year. The system had certainly been approved by the New Zealand Educational Institute, but when it had been brought forward it was understood to be merely a .temporary measure, to be in force not more than about two years. Now it appeared that the system was to remain for at least another four or five years. "I have been supported in my action ' . from many parts of Taranaki,”, said Mr. Evans, “and I intend to continue to fight the evil, not as a headmaster purely, but as one interested in the welfare of the children.” He - admitted that for the teachers concerned an abolition of the rationing scheme might be a serious disadvantage, .but the manner in which the school classes were being handicapped at present was, he thought, even more serious.