HOUSING PROBLEM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 58, 20 March 1945, Page 5

HOUSING PROBLEM

\ accommodation for teachers CIRCULAR LETTER, The Whakatane School Com*l" mitttc has for some time been concerned over the lack of acW commodation for teachers and has made representations to the .Education Department for the -4* provision of such for assistant teachers. Vacancies on> the teach- , ing staff are difficult to fill becauste teachers will not apply when accommodation cannot be •> guaranteed. The following circular letter has , heen received by the committee from the Auckland Education Board k and it is suggested that those householders who would be willing to pro- ; Tide accommodation when required .should notify the committee. "The Board desires to express its thanks to School Committees and Head Teachers for the efforts made to arrange accommodation for teachera who are compelled to live away .from home ? ad it would express, its .gratitude to those householders who have responded so generously in this ■connection.

Indeed* at tills time when the need for increased primary produc- | "lion is so urgent, when help in some homes is so difficult to procure, and •when room in other homes is so fully "taxed, the assistance given by householders is beyond the highest praise. The Board would like, also to ex- * 9 press its highest appreciation of the -actions of those teachers who at considerable sacrifice to themselves and in the face of serious difficulties have done so much to preserve .smooth and efficient running in their • schools. The Board regrets, however, that in spite of the efforts made so far -the teacher-accommodation problem "is still most acute and that before it can be solved it would seem that •a further call must be made for most -strenuous endeavours from everyone. The Board would therefore urge School Committees and Head Teachers in districts where accommodation for the teacher is needed to .make a thorough canvass of all the residents in their area for help and "to seek the assistance of the Wo. :men's Institutes and other able and -energetic organisations. It is believed that such action may prove •effective as most people will agree rthat it is the plain duty of all to do Htlie best to secure that the efficient -education of our children shall on no account be interrupted. The Board would also urge all teachers to adapt themselves wherjjossible to the conditions offering, for it must be realised that "in general people with homes in the •country districts have no desire whatever to take boarders in the true sense ? but merely do so to help the* country in the time of great meed. At present it would seem that even "if. it were desirable it is quite impossible for the Board to embark on -an extensive plan to provide hostel -accommodation for teachers, in the rural areas."