EDUCATION: LEAVE OF ABSENCE GRANTED TO TEACHERS ON ACCOUNT OF ILLNESS (PARTICULARS RELATING TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1907 Session I, E-16

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1907. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: LEAVE OF ABSENCE GRANTED TO TEACHERS ON ACCOUNT OF ILLNESS (PARTICULARS RELATING TO).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated the 10th July, 1907. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House a return showing (1) the number of times leave of absence on account of illness was granted to teachers by each of the Education Boards of the colony during the year 1906, the total duration of those absenoes, and the total amount of salaries paid to teachers for the terms of their absences; (2) the system adopted by each of the Boards for the regulation of the amounts paid to teachers whilst they are on leave."—(Mr. Stallwobthy.)

Return showing the Number of Times Leave of Absence on account of Illness was granted to Teachers by each of the Education Boards of the Colony during the Year 1906, the Total Duration of those Absences, and the Total Amount of Salaries paid to Teachers for the Terms of their Absences (compiled from Information supplied by the Education Boards).

Return showing the System adopted by each of the Boards for the Regulation of the Amounts paid to Teachers whilst they are on Leave. Auckland Education Board. " The system adopted by this Board in regard to the payment of teachers during their absence through illness is as follows : One month's- salary in full; payment of salary continued either in whole or in part after that time at the discretion of the Board, and according to the merits of each case. Pupil-teachers are paid full salary for the whole of their period of absence through sickness." Taranaki Education Board. " The Board never grants more than one month's leave of absence on sick-leave on full pay without by special resolution, and then has not exceeded two months." Wanganui Education Board. " There is no definite system as to payment of teachers absent on account of illness. Every application is placed before the Board and considered, and in nearly every case leave is granted with pay." Wellington Education Board. " In the case of sickness the Board may grant leave of absence to teachers and pupil-teachers for one month on full pay. Every application for sick-leave for a longer period than one week must be accompanied by a medical certificate. Applications for extended leave are specially dealt with."

Education Board. Number of Times Total Duration of „ T 1 otal Amo " nt . of Leave granted. Absences. balar £ P" d durm « ° such Abseuces. Auckland Taranaki Wanganui Wellington Hawke's Bay Marlborough Nelson ... Grey Westland North Canterbury South Canterbury... Otago Southland 124 17 39 38 14 3 9 9 2 33 15 33 20 Mths. wks. days 119 2 5 12 3 0 40 3 1 71 1 5 19 2 0 10 2 0 8 10 5 3 0 2 0 0 62 2 1 14 0 3 77 1 1 26 2 0 £ s. d. 1,046 17 10 159 18 4 419 2 3 429 12 8 184 19 9 52 2 8 63 13 2 32 0 6 17 18 4 312 7 2 118 17 9 242 15 4 180 15 2

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Haivke's Bay EducationJßoard. " Teachers are paid in full as far as the fund for the purpose will permit; these funds have always proved sufficient." Marlborough Education Board. " The practice of this Board is to pay teachers on sick-leave full salary for first month and half salary for the next two months." Nelson Education Board. " The system adopted by this Board for payment of teachers during sick-leave is to grant full pay for the first month, and half-pay for the second month. For any longer period of sickness the question of payment is considered in each case on its merits, on special application being made." Grey Education Board. " Hitherto it has been the invariable custom of the Grey Education Board to allow their teachers full pay during the term of leave granted them on account of illness. Each application for sick-leave must be accompanied by a medical certificate, and usually the certifying doctor is interviewed concerning the case by a representative of the Board. Every care is taken by the Board that their system of dealing with sick-leave is not abused." Westland Education Board. " On the production of a medical certificate teachers are allowed up to one month's leave of absence on full pay, the Board paying the substitute out of the grant for the purpose. After the expiry of the month the relieving teacher receives the absentee's salary." North Canterbury Education Board. " The system adopted by this Board for the regulation of the amounts paid to teachers whilst they are on leave is as follows : First month, full salary ; second month, half salary (after which salary ceases). If a teacher is granted a second leave of absence within three years of the first, one month's full salary only is paid." South Canterbury Education Board. — Regulations. " (1.) Leave of absence for any period not exceeding a week may be obtained from the School Committee ; but all applications for a longer period should be forwarded by the School Committee to the Board. " Applications from assistant teachers should be sent through the head teachers. " (2.) In case of sickness, the Board will grant a teacher leave of absence on full pay for one month out of any twelve months, provided that every application for sick-leave for a longer period than one week is accompanied by a certificate from a duly qualified medical practitioner. The Board may also require a certificate of fitness before a teacher absent on sick-leave resumes doty. '' (3.) All cases of absence from duty from any cause whatever must be reported immediately to the Board and the School Committee by head teachers." Otago Education Board. " In cases of sickness the Board will grant a teacher leave of absence for one month in any twelve months on full pay, and provide a suitable substitute; but, if the leave of absence extend beyond one month, no salary will be paid during such extension. Every application for such leave for a longer period than one week must be accompanied by a certificate from a duly qualified medical practitioner. " If'any teacher requires to be absent from any other cause than ill health he has to provide and pay the salary of a suitable substitute." Southland Education Board. " The svstem adopted in this district in granting leave of absence to teachers on account of illness is to allow full salary for one month in any year; additional leave beyond that period, if granted, is without salary." E. 0. Gibbes, Secretary for Education. Education Department, Wellington, 11th September, 1907.

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