PUPIL TEACHERS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3596, 20 January 1883, Page 2

PUPIL TEACHERS.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegej«h.] Sic, —I have been a pupil teacher in one of the Hawke's Bay schools for nearly five years, and have always passed well at the annual examination of pupil teachers. My term of engagement has now expired, and X should very much like to finish my training at one of the training colleges for teachers, but find that I cannot, as the expenses are so great. When I became a pupil teacher I thought that all pupil teachers who finished their apprenticeship Avere sent to a training college free of charge. In England I believe that this is the case, and even in this country in places where the colleges are. But in Hawke's Bay the pupil teachers, if they wish to go to college, must pay all their own expenses. As a pupil teacher I have only received a salary sufficient to provide me with clothes, and my parents have had to maintain me at an age when I ought to bo able to earn more than sufficient to maintain myself. It is not right that I should expect my parents to pay for me to go to college, for I think they have done enough already, but do you think, MiEditor, that the Government are treating such as myself fairly ? I wish to learn my profession, and I expected to learn it when I became a pupil teacher. Just at a time when help is wanted I find that no help can be given. I know that the Education Board has long ago sent to the Minister of Education asking him to establish scholarships, but nothing has been done, and I must give up teaching, although I like it very much. Can you not say a word, Mr Editor, on behalf of myself and others ? lam sure you will see that our cause is a just one.—l am, ifcc, Ex-pupil Teacher. Napier, January IS, ISS3.