Teacher shortage

Press, 12 February 1986, Page 20

Teacher shortage

Sir, — I cannot understand how higher wages will solve the shortage of some teachers. Apart from the mathematics-computer fields, where there is a worldwide shortage, the shortfall at the moment is caused by the

demand for the immediate implementation of smaller classes, promised only last year. Irrespective of income increases, more teachers will naturally flow into the system in the next Tew years. Trained teachers are not waiting around to fall into jobs at a few months notice. With zero population growth in about five years there will be a teacher surplus, but as is usual in the State sector no-one will be made redundant and the taxpayer will support a top-heavy system. Why was not that a recruiting campaign instituted in England where teachers suffer very inferior pay and working conditions? Perhaps, our teachers’ union does not want these positions filled too soon, as it gives a big stick to wave in the wage talks. — Yours, etc., B. T. MCDONALD. February 10, 1986.