TEACHERS’ SALARIES

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1924, Page 3

TEACHERS’ SALARIES

(National Education). Between the new regulations lor the organisation, inspection, and examination of schools, and the new salaries .scheme, there lias been ample food for thought and discussion lately. The last lias not been heard of the first-named topic, to which we rclerred last mouth. With regard to the second, it seems to he impossible at present to mterpict the new provisions with any degree of certainty that the interpretation "ill he the right one. Opinions diller astonishingly amongst those to whom

one usually looks for sound analysis of such matters. This much seems to be clear: the status of certain, positions has been lowered, others have been improved. while others, again, remain practically as thev are. It is generally agreed that the main object -the teduetion of transfers—will he achieved, but if is not so clear that the scheme can he applied within the financial limits previously fixed. One estimate puts tin additional requirement at something over £50.00;). A rumour that the Department is about to cut down the country allowance lends colour to the suggestion that the framers of the scheme, having ever-run the constable, are looking round for ways and means of balancing the budget. The main thing to remember, however, is that no individual will -idler an actual loss, although the future prospects t'nav not seem so bright.

We suggest to Xhe Department, without otuelt hope of the suggestion being considered, that the next time it "publishes a ret of regulations dealing with salaries it. might publish also an explanation sufficiently simple and lucid to enable the lay mind to grasp their purport. Had this been done when' the “Gazette” containing the new regulations was published, much misunderstanding might have been avoided. Wo have heard that the .Minister was excessively annoyed by the manner in which the sal-ivies regulations were set out in the liewspapets. If teachers themselves have been unable to understand them, can he wonder that members of another profession have found the task sti diUk-nlt.* H in practice the new regulations should bo found to he as brilliantly successful m satisfying the teachers as they seem x<. far to have puzzled them, wo shall b< very thankful indeed.