TEACHERS AND THEIR PAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1918, Page 6

TEACHERS AND THEIR PAY.

©R. ANDERSON'S REMARKS. Tn a memorandum 011 the payment of teachers submitted lo the Minister of Education, Jlf. Anderson (Director of Education) states that the situation demands the most earnest attenion. No improvement in the' conditions at the initial stages of the teacher's career can be sufficient unless the adult teacher's position is nt the same time improved to such an extent as will make the profession worthy of 'the best energies and the continued and unremitting application of its members. The steps of improvement can only be gradual, but unless the problem is promptly and effectively grappled with the outlook must lie regarded as grave. Referring to the memorandum, the Hon. J. A. llanan said that there ■wan undoubtedly too iar«c " "'-oportiori (uncertificated teachers in this country. Costly building and equipment would not make up for the. personal defects of an . inefficient, teacher. Educationalists agreed that (he rate of advance in every crade of education niust 'be conditioned by the supply of qualified teachers. ' As evidence thai, the present pay and prospects of the profession are steadily reduein<* the proportion of men teachers, the .following official return is given: 'There were Sfl-14 certificated teachers classified in 1018, of whom 24"i2 were women and r HI2 were men, a proportion of about eight women to even- five men. An analysis of the length of service of these teachers shewed that 270 women and only 32 men had less than four years' service, and 3ft" Women am! .onlv A3 men had less than six years' SFTvic. Thereafter, up to 13 years' service the number of men and women jeweller? fere equal; but' of ten-ehers wif.li over 19 years' service there ■were 50D women and 035 men."