TEACHERS' SALARIES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 2, 28 September 1920, Page 5

TEACHERS' SALARIES

, Sir,—We have dillT-dallied with this question too long, and Mr. Foster's action at the meeting of tho Teachers' Institute oa Monday night lias brought us to tho cross roads. We can only hbpe for an efficient system of education when we have an efficient and enthusiastic body of teachers. Can wo hope to get this when wo pay.thorn miserablk pittances that a common labourer would seoff at? The future of this country depends upon tho proper education of its youth, and are we as e community prepared to put the tyachimr profession on such a basia that it will encourage men of ability to enter it? Are we prepared to make this provision for tho future, or are we eojng to trust our children to an ineffi' cSint and discoii'tentcd set of pedagogues? I believe, Sir. that both the Parliament and the people of this country are prepared to place tho teaching profession in its proper high place, and I would sugfifest that the Minister of Education ahtrald give tho lormer body an early opportunity of deciding what is going to K< done, in this direction, in order that the young and prospective teachers can rieuido whether it is worth their while continuing in their present position or transfer their'activities to some sphere where ability and effort can reap an adequatb reward—ram, etc., BYSTANDER. Sir.—There has been a great deal of 1 publicity lately on the teaohers' grading

6oheme, but to my mind all the facts of the case have not been brought to light as yet, although such headings as service and soholaatio attainments have been well thrashed out from some points ofview. •Numbers of people seem to believe the present grading to bo on efficiency, i.e., they do not differentiate between a grading and on efficiency Bcbeme. Under, the present scheme marks are given for position, certificate and service. Granted that a teacher is tho better for a special course of study and for experience, hut in any case he obtains marks for these very things under the other headingsTake teaching .as an example. Theso extra headings give an undue advantage to the senior members of the profession, who score heavily under each heading, while tho bulk of tho teachers) are unduly penalised because their marks are arbitrarily restricted. A teacher's efficiency should be based on his work, not on his length of service and position, as at present. Tlio institute heads all uver tlie Dominion are principally long-service-teach-ers, who naturally enough exert all their strength' to uphold the claims of service and position. Tho only way to get anything like satisfaction is to consider the average teacher and ignore tho "direct action" agitators. If a circular was sent to each teacher by the Department I can guarantee the Minister-would receive a great surprise. The institute only really speaks for a section of tho teachers.—l am, etc., | TSACHEB.