UNDERPAID TEACHERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1696, 12 March 1913, Page 5

UNDERPAID TEACHERS.

Sir—l wish by your courtesy to ventilate' a : few facts- regarding the payment I of school teachers in this Dominion. Teaching is dignified by the titlo; of "profession," .for teacher?, control' tho destiny of tha nation, yet few of them receive as much pay as skilled artisans, junior clerk?, or farm labourers. T.am a Training College student, so near the bottom, of the tree, but the payment is in. proportion right to tho ton, and there is verv little room at the top. , .This is the inviting prospect displayed t-> these who aspira to bo teachers. Having received a good secondary education, and passed the matriculation or an equally difficult teachers' examination, they become probationers for two years, at J!f)0 a. year. This is not a living, wage in town, and forces tho. recipient to . raise money from home or elscwherb in order that lie. may live in a manner befitting tlie dignity of • his' profession. Proba-. tioners living at-homo set. only .£25, which is enough to-pay. for their clothes, books, and college' fees, but forces - their parents lo .sipportlhom, which is.a'gross injustice. For' this beggarly ".remuneration probationers are obliged not.only to work' at school during the day, but also to study at' night. ' After two years' probationership follows a two years' course at a Teachers' Training College. While at the Training Colletre, students away from home receive ,f!(!0 a year, thoso living at home ,£3O. For this students are not only obliged to work long hours, but also to pledge t'liem-. halves to remain in the service of tho Education 'Board for five years after leaving tho college, or forfeit .£l5O. Tho result of this system is obvious. Clever boys nnd girls with a' good secondary education 'find that they can get easier work and bettor pay in offices and elsewhere than, at teaching, .hcnco the prosuffers.

' To quote my own case:—At. Training. Collego I get .£6O a year, which is barely enough to keep me, and allows 110 margin for savilig. I can get steady work in the country at a wage of .£3 a week in addition to my keep, with 110 anxiety or responsibility attached. There id'not ono man at tlie Training College who could not get better pay in town or country it other work if he were not pledged to teach. It is a significant fact that nut'of somo 110 students at the TrairiTng Collogo this year, not one-fifth . are liien. The obvious and certain way of getting a fair wage is for all teachers to go on strike. T.IIO sole reason why they have not done so i,s that such an action is against their principles. The teachers' faithfulness to principles has ihus : saved tlie country, a irreat deal of money, but such money will bo saved at the'cost of effieiemy, unless such terms are offered as will induce the. l:e~l. type of young man and. woman lo take up • 'teaching, l eachers nrq at last, realising that ..tli n fat' 3 of their profession'is more important.. .thau„ a mere sentimental objection, and

unless tho Government's hazy promises soon tako practical shape,' a teachers' etrike is imminent.—l am, etc., G.G.