Move To Overcome Shortage Of Teachers

Chronicle (Levin), 8 June 1949, Page 3

Move To Overcome Shortage Of Teachers

WELLINGTON; June 7.The campaign to attract speeial people as school teachers has ftegun. The appearance of triple eolilmn display advertisements in. newspapers is ealculated to make the publie realise that education is figuratively a commodity which may have to be rationed if schools remain increasingly understaff ed. Word from several eentres, including Auckland and New Plymouth, shows that speeial applications for enti;y into the profession are already being made though the closing date is not till July 15. The Acting-Direetor of' Education, Mr A. F. McMurtie, said'the seheme would appeal specially to people who had originally wanted to be teachers but had not had the opportunity of following the calling. The minimum age for the scheme was 21 years, which would mean that the prospective teacher would have had the broadening experienee of at least one other occupation and perhaps war service as well. After a year in a training college, the suceessful applicants would do one year as probationary teachers and would then be guaranteed employment. A good salary would be paid while training, with fregular increases afterwards and eventuai superannuation. The selection of suitable eandidates would start in the last week in July, said the A'cting-Director. Selection committees of the nine education boards would each consist of a member, a woman elected by the board, the senior inspector of the education board district and two coordinating officers. The last two meinbers would be the prineipal of the Dunedin Training College, Mr E. Partridge, and either the C'hief Inspector of Primary Qchools, Mr D. G. Ball, or the Superintendent of Eduea tion in Auckland, Mr E. C. Lopdell. The selected two, sitting on all selection committees, would ensure uniformity in the type of candidate chosen. Approved students will start training on September G in groups of between 30 and 40 at each training college. With concentrated training, they would do the usual three years' preparatory work in two years and the Department would assist them with furthcr training later, if found necessary. it was the hope of New Zealand educalionalists to secure suliicient teachers by the advertising

campaign and other means, to ensure that eveutually classes would not be ovcr 30. At present soine were as" high as 50.