AN ILL-PAID PROFESSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1918, Page 2

AN ILL-PAID PROFESSION.

MEN LEAVING TEACHING PROFESSION. In his annual report to the -Minister for Jiducation the- chairman of llie Taraliaki Education Board says:—My Board desire to bring before your notice tlie urgent necessity of revising the scale of remuneration and allowance paid to pupil-teachers and probationer?? in order that capable youths m»y be attracted to the teaching profession. There is every indication of scarcity of male teachers throughout the Dominion, and of the position becoming more acute in the near future.

As an illustration of the difficulty in the Taranaki disrtict, it may be pointed out that in the year 1910, out of 41 j applicants for positions as pupil-teachers and probationers only six were males, in ,1917 out of 44 Applicants four males, in 1918 out of 48 two males, one subsequently resigning his position immediately on appointment. Better salaries are being offered by other Government Departments and commercial houses If youths are to be induced to take up the teaching profession, consideration must bo given to increasing the salaries now offered. Desirable and qualified candidates it re undoubtedly being lost to the teaching profession on aeeount of the meagre salary offered. In the disußsion ensuing -Mr. Dixon stated that the figures showed that of the assistants there were 13 males ami 112 females; of pupil teachers one male and 22 females, and of probationers four males and 19 females. This pointed to a very serious position in the cause of education in the .days to come. Each year fewer male teachers were entering the profession, and the time had coma, when they should ask the Government to give increased salaries so as to induce the very- best Drains in the country to enter what- should be one of the highest and noblest callings. No one, he said, ever heard of a lad leaving the trade of plumber with the idea of taking up another trade, but there were quite n number who entered the teaching profession with the idea of later entering the law or the medical profession owing to the inadequate pay given to vCaehers. The time had come when they should let their voices be heard, on the subject with no uncertain sound, and he wished to enter a strong protest and draw the attention'of'the Government -o the mattor. Sir. White aiso expressed strong regret that because of the poverty of the vote for educational purposes the Education Department was losing -lie services of men who would make good teachers, but who were attracted bv the higher salaries offered by other callings.