RAISING OF SCHOOL AGE

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1933, Page 4

RAISING OF SCHOOL AGE

SERIOUS POSITION FORECAST MORE UNEMPLOYED TEACHERS. THE POSITION AT WELLINGTON. KINDERGARTENS SPRINGING UP. By Telegraph-Press Association. Wellington, Aug. 16. Unemployment among teachers was the subject of a memorandum at to-day’s meeting of the Education Board by the secretary, Mr. Hylton, who pointed out the position that would exist at the end of the year as a consequence of the raising of the minimum entrance age to six years was going to be serious. It would be impossible to find transfers for all teachers who would be losing their positions, more particularly for those of higher grades. There would be no alternative but to give the teachers affected three months’ notice terminating their engagements. Considering the large number already without work, together with about 44 Wellington students to be released from training colleges at the end of the year, it would be realised how difficult the position was going to be in 1934, and it was imperative that the Government should review the matter without delay. He submitted some alternatives that suggested themselves, the first on the list being the immediate repeal of legislation restricting the entrance age. Colonel McDonald said that the fundamental cause of all the trouble was the raising of the entranee age, and they should concentrate on getting the department to see that it had committed a vital mistake. He moved that representations be made to the department. In the course of discussion Mr. Nicholls pointed out that one result of the raising of the age was that kindergartens were springing up all round, and the time would come when it would he necessary to fight strenuously to get these children into the public schools.

Colonel McDonald’s motion was carried on a show of hands.

1615 TEACHERS NEED WORK

“SCANDALOUS POSITION.”

TRAINING COLLEGE CLOSING.

Auckland, Aug. 16.

A statement that in May there were 1615 primary school teachers without permanent employment was made in a communication received from the Otago Education Board to the Auckland Board to-day. The total included 475 in Auckland, 316 in Canterbux-y, 202 in Wellington, and 190 in Otago. A member of the board commented that' the position was scandalous.

The chairman (Mr. Wells): “It means that the Dominion has spent nearly £500,000 before it needed to have done for the training of teachers. ’ Another member: “We won't need any training college for some years.” The Education Department edvised that it had been decided to close the Christchurch College during 1934 and transfer to the Auckland College any students requiring further training.