THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1126, 13 May 1911, Page 10

THE TEACHING PROFESSION

OUTLOOK IX NELSON.

The annual report of tlic inspectors of' tho Nelson Education district (just published) contains tho following interesting reforenco to tho problem of tho uncertifieated teacher:—"Tho proportion of niiecrtilicatcd teachers if. still growing, a -condition of affairs that has prevailcd" ! tlirougliout the Dominion for tho last, five .years.. Tho increase- in. tho number of sm'afl.schools is a contributing factor, Jbirfciast year we experienced an exceeding dearth, of. suitable, teachers of any class, a difficulty which happily has been removed for the present by the retirement of a large number of pupil teachers, and by tho unusually large number of suitable applicants that havo recently appeared to replaco them. "Wo havo repeatedly pointed out that legally an uncertifieated teacher may bo employed by the board only till a fully qualified olio is obtainable. Somo, in spite of tho best .intentions on entrance to .the service, come so far to regard their positions as permanent tliat they make no effort whatever to improve their status by sitting for the certificate examination. To those- in Gradq 2, or a. higher, grade, who pro in this prcdicnractitrmncl 'liavo failed to present ■ themselves' , for , the last two years, notice of'"determination "of engagement might well bo given by tho board with a view" to advertising tho .vacancies thus. produced. "Of lato the teaching profession can hardly he described as.-highly popular with "the 'brainiest' of our youth, and tiie many advantages bestowed upon it by recent legislation .have, probably not yet rendered it sufficiently attractive, though present 411(1108110113 are towards a turn of the tide. An attraction that is still lacking would bo afforded by tho adoption of a definite scheme of promotion, which would guarantee to a. capablo teacher who has proved his ability and given every satisfaction in his professional work some certainty of advancement within a reasonable time. It would necessitate as keen a competition in matters, pertaining to his profession, attach-.rnoro -.value to the personality of. the teacher,-and., altogether, remove from him the temptation to gain favour b l v--aft's*'or' :, (jiialificati6ha.'that iri no way incrcaso his fitness or add to his dignity as- a teacher.* '