SCHOOL TEACHERS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1933, Page 6

SCHOOL TEACHERS

A SERIOUS POSITION,

(T&r Piriss Association Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, August 16.

'Uneiiiploynient among teachers has the subject of a memorandum at toiday’s meeting of. the Education, Board, by the Secretary, Mr Hylton, who pointed out the position that would be existent in a year, as a consequence of the 'raising of the minimum entrance age 'to six years, was gding to be serious. It would be impossible io find , transfers for all tefichers who would be losing their positions, more particularly for those of higher grades. I here would be no alternative but to give the /teachers affected thiee months’ notice of J.he 'terminating of their engagements. Considering the, large num. jb'er already without work, together with about forty-four Wellington students to be released from training colleges; at the end of the year, it will be realised bow difficult the position is' .going to be in 1931, a?nl it is impelative that the Government should review the matter without delay. He submitted some alternatives that suggested themselves, first on the list 'being •the immediate repeal of the legislation ,?restricting the entrance age. <G'ol. McDonald said the fundamental cause of all'the trouble was the raising of the entrance age, and they -should concentrate bn getting the Department to see it had committed a vital mistake. He moved that -representations ■be made to the Department.

In the -course of discussion, Mr NichblL pointed out one -result of the raising of the age was that kindeigartens were springing up all round and the time would come, he- card, when it would be necessary to fight strenuously to get these children into the public schools. Col. McDonald's -motion w-aS carried on a- show of hands. ;