UNCERTIFICATED TEACHERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1921, Page 6

UNCERTIFICATED TEACHERS.

POSITION IN TARANAKI. Recently the Taranaki Education Board, on the recommendation of the Senior Inspector (Mr. J. A. Valintine), decided to make certain inquiries concerning the status of the uncertificated teachers in the district, and the result of the investigation wats set out in a report received at yesterday’s meeting of the board. The report stated that 116 replies had been sent in and from these it was clear that (a) 54 teachers (nearly one half) have no qualifications other than the proficiency certificate; (b) ten teachers have passed the Senior Free Place examination; (c) seven have passed the Junior Public Service Entrance examination; (d) 42, have completed part the Teachers’ D examination; (e) three have qualified for the D certificate but have not yet been graded. In commenting on this, Mr. Valintine stated: Of the 54 teachers included in (a), 14 appear to have made no effort whatever to improve their position, while others have done nothing since 1902, 1907, 191-0 and later dates. Gf the 10 included in (b) at least 8 seem to be striving for advancement, but of the 7 in (c) only one has made any progress during these last two years. Of

the 42 in (d) all but 12 seem to be taking advantage of every opportunity for improvement. It is suggested that the board should send notice to all these teachers, ( that each of them is expected to take up this year some course of study that will lead to improvement in status. It is further suggested that each uncertificated teacher shbuld be required to inform the board at the end of each year what he, or she, has done to effect improvement in status* The board should now authorise its officers and the inspectors to proceed with all necessary arrangements for the establishment of special classes for the tuition of teachers on Saturdays and at other times available, and "£or enabling teachers in far back areas to take up correspondence classes in certain subjects. As soon as possible, too, the board should take steps to set up an observation egiintry school in connection with the> Stratford Schboi. The report was adopted.