SCHEME FOR TEACHERS WITH MAXIMUM GRADING

Chronicle (Levin), 2 October 1947, Page 4

SCHEME FOR TEACHERS WITH MAXIMUM GRADING

CHRLSTCHrKOH, Oct. ]. A scheme to reniove the iiarriers faced by teachers wlien they reaeh niaximum grading jaarks in any group and are unable. to qualifv ±'or better inarhs Jjecgiise they nmst first enter hig'her positions in the service, wiJl be placed before the ilinister of Education (Mr. Mason) about the end of tnis tnonth. Mr. Ci. II. Aritchell, of Christchurch, president of the Xew Zealanu Educational Institute, said this evening that the new plan jirovided for an m-

crease in nuirks to be given each year on a lixed scale according to efficiency. Subject to the standard of experience being maintained, teachers' gradings would continue throughout the service without them having to change to new iKisitions. This would tend toward moastability in seliool staffs. As the grading for the present biennial period covered this year and next, it liad been proposed that the new scheme, if approved, shouhl begin in 1948 with the grading at present in force. The new scheme was being supplied in detail to teachers and after their comments had been received it would be s'ubmitted to the Minister for favourable consideration. Mr. Mitchell said that the present svstem was based on a method ot grouping according to salary. During recent vears it had proved unsatisfactorv beeause once teachers reached their niaximum in any group, eongestion arose through positions not beirig available in the next. The acute housing shortage had also influenced teachers -not to change their schools often if the present scheme were allowed to remain in operation. Its value as a promotion index, already seri-eusl-y undermined, would disappear ' eompletely. Mr. Mitchell said the position had become so serious that officers of the Institute and £f the Education Department had conferred to seeure a scheme under which teachers could continue to make progress regardless of tlie salary group they were in. If the proposals were approved the translation to the new grading scheme would be made in April 1948 with the relative position of every teacher exactly the same as annoiineed in the latest grading list.