TEACHERS’ SALARIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2083, 18 May 1907, Page 4

TEACHERS’ SALARIES.

Fress Association. DUNEDIN, yesterday. A number of motions were discussed by the Otago Ulucation- Board yesterday in dealing with matters affecting the teaching profession. Tho chairman (Mr. T. Mackenzie) moved : “That in order to place the teaching profession on a satisfactory basis, and also to secure efficient/ 'instruction, the Government be urged to introduce at an early date legislation providing for the classification and promotion of-teachers, together with the granting of assured salaries, based upon efficiency and longth (Of service.” Tlio chairman said at present some persons competent for the work were drafting details for a new classification scheme. These would doubtless be submitted to tlio Education Committee of Parliament next session, and that body i\V>ultl once more try to thresh out something to better the - teachers’ position. The motion was carried.

The Chairman moved that “whereas the Teachers’ Superannuation Act was passed in order to provide a retiring allowance for those in tho service of the Department, and, further, with tho object of improving the efficiency of tile service, and of giving a hope of promotion to younger members of tho staff, and whereas the legislation of last session in a measure nullified the two latter considerations, this Board are of opinion that the Act should be amended in the direction of requiring teachers and officers to retire at the maximum age, unless the Minister of Education should otherwise direct,”, The Rev. P. B. Fraser mentioned that the Municipal Council of Auckland had ordered 8s a day to- be paid to their casual laborers, who thus received better pay than was given to the teachers of thousands of children. A wage of 8s a day meant about £l2O a year. A suggestion was also made that the end of tho motion be! altered to the effect that subject to tho recommendations of the Education Board, the Minister may direct tlio retirement of an over-age teacher, and this modification was accepted by the mover. The motion was carried. „ , The Rev. P. B. Fraser moved: “That in view of the large number of uncertificated teachers in the schools of the colony, and the fact that a very large proportion ojf them have no educational status whatever, the Otago Education Board request the Minister of Education to take steps to prevent such a larfee number of unqualified teachers from settling down for any length of time on the rural schools of the colony. With that end in view the IJoard would: recommend for tho Minister’s favorable consideration the propriety of Offering the same privileges and allowances to uncertificated teachers as are offered to ex-pupil teachers under regulation 8, division A (training colleges), provided sueli teachers have done service similar to pupil teachers and are recommended by the inspectors and approved by the Board, and provided that they pass tho matriculation examination of tho University of Now Zealand, tho privileges and allowances being free tuition at the training colleges and an allowance of £3O a year, together with fees at the University, College classes attended by the student, with a further addition of £3O a. year in tho case of any student who ,iis iobij'ged to live away from home to attend tlie training college.” The Hon. T. Fergus said it should be laid down as axiomatic (1) that no teacher should be paid less than a living wage; (2) that all teachers should be qualified by education and training; (3) that all salaries should he paid by classification; (4) that promotion should be by educational qualifications, length of service, and ability to teach; (5) that no certificated teacher should receive less salary than £IOO a year. The motion was carried. - Mr. Fraser next moved : “That notice be sent to all uncertifijoateid teachers in the Board’s serivee that ,t he Board will advertise their positions in tlio month of February nexfy and that they may apply with other applicants for the position advertised; that tho said teachers bo informed at tlio same time that tlio Board will grant all facilities in their power to enable them within reasonable time to improve their educational status, such teachers as are studying with a view to pass examinations to inform the Board at as early a date as possible.” Ho stated that there were (35 uncertificated teachers in Otago. Tho Hon. T. Fergus said ho could not support tlio motion. The Go uncertificated teachers were in the Board’s employ because tlio Board could get no better. Tlie proposal ,yas altogether too drastic. The motion was lost,