XN000022-1973-04-10 — Page 9

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Tuesday, April 10, 1973

The Government however is seeking to improve the treatment of

teachers in these schools by giving guidance to the proprietors in making

appointments and setting out conditions of service.

:

The position of teachers in private schools is another aspect

of education the Board of Education will consider.

There is already a problem in providing sufficient teachers to

meet the increased demands of education in the 70's. To staff the expansion

approved up to 1976, the output of the three existing Colleges of Education

will be increased by 2,000 by 1976. Thereafter the construction of a

fourth college or other means would be necessary to meet the increased

expansion envisaged by the Governor in his speech.

The present estimates are based on a ratio of 11 teachers to

10 classes in primary schools, 13 teachers to 10 classes in form 1 to form 5,

and two teachers for every class in form 6.

On educational grounds, it is accepted that it would be desirable

to increase the ratio of teachers, but the implications of such a change

would need to be carefully examined.

As an example, in the aided primary sector alone, a change from a

ratio of 1.1 to 1.3 would mean recruitment and training of an additional

2,468 teachers.

However the expansion of facilities for the training of teachers

is high on the list of topics for consideration by the Board of Education,

which will no doubt be making recommendations on this issue.

/The points