TEACHERS POSITIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 106, 7 May 1934, Page 11

TEACHERS POSITIONS

EATIONING SCHEME

DIRECTOR'S REVIEW

A review of the scheme for the rationing of work among teachers was made, by the. Director of Education (Mr. N. T. Lambourne), when addressing the conference of tho New Zealand Educational Institute today.

"At tho beginning of this year we were faced with the problem of unemployment among tcaehcrs," he said. "For several .reasons the supply had been exceeding the number of positions available. In 1932' and. 1933' the positions of probationary assistants and relioviug.teachers were filled by rationed teachers with salary at the rate of £100 a year, the saving being spent on the employment of about 90 or 100 additional assistants at tho same/rate. Last year, most of the- rationed teachers received two terms' employment, but with the number.of.teachers out of em: plpymeijt at the beginning of this year it was seen that last year's '.'plan would' riot provide even two. tornis' employment this. year. :- ' '•■• ■

'!It was -necessary,' therefore, to consider the following propositions:-^-(l) To revert to the payment:': of /probationary' assistants and relieving, teachers at scale rates.; This would have meant-that a large number of teachers would have received no employment at all during the year. (2) To continue the 1933 scheme. This alsp'would have mcanfc that a considerable number of teachers would have had little or no employment during the' year. (3) ; To devise a scheme which,-, would provide employment for tho wholo of the un^ employed teachers at .a reduced rate of pay. . : ...- .. ;■■-. N.Z.E.1.-APPEOVAI. • /'"..-;' ' ■ " With the financial assistance of-the Unemployment Board it.was found that all unemployed teachers could be put into positions for the whole year at a salary at tho rate of £60 a yeai\ plus lodging allowance at tho rate of £24 a year] where necessary. This .proposal was submitted to and approved by theN.Z.E.l.'executive.-". It is only fair to say that the executive wished for ahigher, rate of salary; but this wtis not possible in' view of the number of miemployed teachers anditlie total amouut. of-money that'was available.

r'Tho boarcls are carrying out the scheme well, arid so far as the Department knows, the boards, the. head teachers, and tho great majority of the rationed teachers prefer the scheme to that which was in operation in 1933. The appointment of two or three or niore: additional assistants.:'to'- a school has enabled the head teacher to break up large classes', to the advantage of tlio pupils. Continuous employment has meant a great deal ,to the rationed teacher, who now feels that ho or she is a recognised 'member of the staff of: the school.. The opportunity.of gaining experience and further professional training is'greatly appreciated. '■■•■'■ "Cwing to the training colleges being closed."this.:year, : tho siipply of teachers willvnot : bo .atigm'entcd in February next, and the-., number io.t in pier* manent employment, at the beginning of 1935 should "bo considerably : loss than it. was in Pebruary last., ... •.