TEACHERS' SICK LEAVE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8539, 20 September 1907, Page 3

TEACHERS' SICK LEAVE.

AN INTERESTING RETURN. Some particulars concerning the methods adopted by different Education Boards in regard to teachers' sick leave and the extent of such absences for the year 1906 are given in a return which was recently ordered on the motion of Mr Stallvvorthy, and which was presented to the House on Tuesday. The first portion of the return shows the number of times leave of absence on account of illness was granted to teachers by each of the Education Boards during 1906, the length of the periods and the amount of salaries paid during such

absence. Auckland heads the. list with 124 absences, totalling 119 months, two weeks, five days. The salaries paid in respect of this period being no less than £1,046. Wellington was responsible for 38 absences, covering 71 months, one week, and five days, 'and accounting for £429 in salaries. Other districts' returns are as follow: Wanganui, 39 times, 4 months, 3 weeks, £419; North Canterbury, 33 times, 62 months, 2 weeks, £312; Otago, 33 times, 77 months, 1 week; £242; Hawke's Bay, 14 times, 19 months, 2 weeks, £185; Southland, 20 times, 26 months, 2 weeks, £180; Taranaki, 17 times, 12 months 3 weeks £159; South Canterbury, 15 times, 14 months, £118; Nelson, 9 times, 8 months 1 week, £63; Marlborough, 3 times, 10 months, 2 weeks, £52; Grey, 9 times., 5 months, 3 weeks, £32; Westland, 2 absences, 2 months, £l7. The second portion of the return shows the different systems adopted by the various Boards in respect to the sick leave of teachers. The Auckland Board allows one month's salary in full; after that time payment of salary is continued either in whole or part at the discretion of the Board, and according to the merits of each case. Pupil teachers are paid full salary fur the whole period. The Taranaki Board never grants jnore than one month's sick leave on full pay, except by special resolution, and then has not exceeded *wo months. The Wellington Board may grant leave for one month on full pay, applications for extended leave being specially dealt with. The Wanganui Board has no definite system, but in nearly every case leave is granted with pay. The Hawke's Bay Board pay teachers in full so far as its fund for the purpose will permit. The Marlborough Board grants full salary for the first month, and halfpay for the next two months. The Nelson and North Canterbury Boards grant full pay for the first month, and half-pay for the second month.

The Grey Board has invariably allowed full pay, whilst the West port Board gives full pay for one month, the South Canterbury, Otago and Southland Boards grant full pay for one month out of any twelve months.