20
Non-Graduate Grades
4.11 Certificated Master/Mistress
3,161 posts
There were various staff representations concerning the Certificated Master grade. One called for a maximum of MPS Point 29 for the rank of Certificated Master, with allowances for teachers performing headship and other duties of special responsibility equivalent to a further two increments. Another suggested combining the rank with that of Assistant Master, with a further three increments for those performing the functions currently exercised by Assistant Masters. A third representation asked that the grade be restructured into four ranks instead of the existing three, with overlapping scales and the maximum of the top rank set at MPS Point 43, which is now Point 44 on the revised Master Pay Scale.
At present, Certificated Masters are normally appointed after completing a two-year course in a College of Education, the minimum entry qualification to a College being a school certificate. However, from September 1980 onwards, the Colleges of Education will be providing three- year courses in place of the existing two-year courses. We therefore consider that, in view of the educational qualifications and training required, the pay scales for the Certificated Master rank should be determined by having regard to the scales for grades with student ranks requiring three years' training. We accordingly recommend an additional one point at the bottom of the Certificated Master scale and one point at the top of the scale. The minimum of the pay scale for the second rank in the grade
(Assistant Master) is adjusted accordingly, and the top of the Senior Assistant Master rank scale is adjusted to bring it into line with other ranks at this level of responsibility.
We consider that the duties and responsibilities of heads of primary schools are not sufficiently recognised, and recommend that a new rank of Principal Assistant Master be created for the heads of large primary schools (24 classes or more). We also recommend that the heads of medium sized primary schools (17 to 23 classes) be upgraded from the present rank of Assistant Master to Senior Assistant Master. We suggest that, if these measures are adopted, consideration be given to discontinuing the allowances for the heads of medium and large primary schools, and increasing the existing allowance of $100 a month for Assistant Masters, who are heads of small primary schools (16 classes or less).