Teacher shortage not too bad—principals

Press, 12 February 1986, Page 9

Teacher shortage not too bad—principals

Secondary schools in the northern half of the South Island have not been badly affected by teacher shortages. Only nine schools out of 45 in the area have reported any shortages, according to an Education Department survey. Nationally, 135 schools out of 315 reported a shortage of one or more teachers. A total of 238 positions are vacant.

Of the nine schools in the area the worst affected is Bumside High School, which is short of six teachers, according to the department’s figures. The principal, Mr John Godfrey, said the problem was not as bad as it seemed. Short-term relieving teachers were being employed and applications had been received for most of the positions, he said.

The exception was a mathematics position, for which he had not received any application. Mr Godfrey said that while short-term relieving teachers were covering the position, this could not continue for long. “It is most unsettling for youngsters in the classroom to have different teachers. We must

do something about it,” he said.

Cashmere High School was also listed by the department as having a high number of vacancies. The principal, Mr John Murdoch, said the four vacant positions were all covered by relieving teachers and permanent appointments were about to be made.

Christchurch Girls’ High School was reported to have two vacancies, but the deputy principal, Miss Sally Comer, said these were covered by relieving teachers; and were advertised. She said it was likley that permanent appointments would be made.

Shirley Boys’ High School was reported to have two vacancies, but the principal could not be reached for comment. Marian College has not filled a part-time position to cover the transition from school to work scheme. The worst hit schools in the region were those outside Christchurch. Ellesmere College is short of a mathematics and a music teacher. The deputy principal, Mr Michael Wilson, said the mathematics position was being cover-

ing by a science teacher, and the music position was being covered by a teacher with no music qualifications. The school had never had any problem attracting teachers before, he said.

Temuka High School is short of a mathematics teacher, but the position is covered by other teachers in the school.

Westland High School, in Hokitika, is short of a mathematics and science teacher and a physical education teacher. The principal, Mr Rod Browning, said the school was coping but could only do so for a limited time.

“It is going to be very difficult unless I get a mathematics-science application within the next month,” he said. Mr Browning said he had some mathematics in his degree and could teach about five classes if this was needed. However, this would mean administrative work would be left undone, which would also harm the pupils. Waimea College, in Richmond, has had to stop some fifth-formers from studying agriculture this year because a second teacher could not be found. No application for

another positon which requires somone to teach at least two of the subjects of electronics, computer studies, and physics to sixth-form level has been received. Applications will close on Friday. The principal, Mr Peter Price, said that as a last resort some pupils might have to take courses by correspondence. Traditionally Christchurch schools have not had any problems recruiting teachers. The regional superintendent of the Education Department, Dr Colin Knight, said he was pleased schools in the area did not seem to have a big problem. “However, there is a concern not only in Christchurch but throughout the whole of the southern region about the over-all shortage of mathematics teachers,” he said.

Dr Knight said most Western countries found it difficult to attract mathematics teachers because of the wide range of career options available to qualified people. The general shortage was also placing some schools in considerable difficulties, he said.