Scarcity of Teachers.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3799, 4 June 1908, Page 2

Scarcity of Teachers.

By Telegraph.—Press Association Auckland, Last Night.

At the meeting of the City Schools Committee last night the chairman, Mr P. M. Mackay, referred to what he termed some of the unsatisfactory features in the administration of the Education Act.

On the subject of the syllabus, the chairman had a good deal to say. He asked, "What could be thought of a syllabus so unintelligible as to lead to so many diverse interpretations? It was far from being what a syllabus should be. Referring to the growing paucity of male teachers, he said it was a matter of serious import, although the Inspector General seemed not to think so. In the interests of the boys of the Dominion, it was much to be deprecated that such was the case for, as everybody knew, it made a great difference in the character of boys if they were taught by women instead of men. There was a growing decrease in the number of certificated teachers, and a large and growing increase i n the number of those uncertificated. "In other professions," said Mr Mackay, "quacks are not recognised, and yet uncertificated persons are allowed to try their 'prentice hand in the teaching and training of the young. In 1903 there were 2482 certificated teachers employed and in 1906, 2418 —that is, 64 fewer, while in 1903 there were 546 uncertificated teachers employed, and in 1906 789, an increase of 243. It was plain that the administration of our educational system was very much at fault somewhere. There was no system of regu--1 lating appointment or promotion in , a huge and most important department of the public service. Of course appointments and promotions had to be made, but how were they made? Not always through merit, but through the influence of friends and wire pulling. Can we wonder," he said, "why dissatisfaction is rife throughout the service, why there is i a growing increase in the number of uncertificated and female teachers, and a growing decrease in the number of male and certificated teachers? I What is worse still remains to be J considered —that the lack of any I scheme of appointment or promotion j has conduced to the demoralisation [ of the teachers themselves, many of \ them having become completely disheartened by the constant repitition of those 'spurns which patient merit of the unworthy take.' " The Chairman went on to say that his remarks were not intended to apply locally, but to the Dominion. Mr Gaudin said he did not wonder at the scarcity of good male teachers. Quite 50 per cent of those engaged in j the profession had no status at all.

The Chairman: We are told plenty of inducement is offered certificated men, and there is no paucity of male teachers. Mr Gaudin: What inducement is there? I taught for 10 years, and at the end of that time I was getting £l5O a year. The ordinary navvy gets £2 10s a week. Dr. Walker: More if he can get it. Further discussion followed, during which the syllabus was condemned as "unwieldy and cumbersome," and it was finally resolved to have the chairman's remarks printed and circulated amongst members of the Education 'Boards.