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Salient. Victoria University Students' Newspaper. Volume 39, Number 23. September 20, 1976

No Room in the Kindy — Kindergarten Students Unemployed Government Treats them Like Shit

page 18

No Room in the Kindy

Kindergarten Students Unemployed Government Treats them Like Shit

We would like to bring to the notice of all concerned students the critical situation existing with regards to kindergarten students graduating this year. Of the 248 students graduating few will receive jobs.

There are still 100 of last years graduates without permanent positions, unofficial third teachers there by 'the grace of God and Government' and there are doubts if even this unsatisfactory scheme will continue.

These teachers as supernumeraries are unable to set up permanent homes because they could be expected to move from anywhere between Wellington and Cape Reinga within 2 weeks notice. People flatting will appreciate the sort of trials these teachers incur.

In addition they can be expected to relieve in other kindergartens without notice disrupting the stability of the kinder garten to which they are attached. They are also expected to apply for every job advertised in the Education Gazette in the North or South Island. This gazette is published fortnightly, so consider the demoralising effect that continuous rejection notices have on these people.

First year teachers are expected to apply for even head teachers positions, an altogether undesirable practice.

The Government proposal put forward to 'solve' the problem is to raise the numbers of children attending kindergarten increasing the numbers of children which a teacher must interact with up to 105 thereby processing our children like cattle in a meatworks - a situation totally unacceptable for children, parents and teachers alike.

It is time the Government listened to early childhood educators and got their heads of their piggy banks to accept its problems and face its responsibilities.

We would also like to clear up a few misconceptions. Contrary to popular opinion we are not a bunch of baby-minders, single, husband-hunting females. We are in fact teachers concerned with the education of our young.

We would like to think that after training for two years there will be a job available. Instead we have been trained for two years to face unemployment.

The Government, however, continues to blantantly advertise for more students when it cannot supply jobs for existing students.

So we advise anyone thinking about kindergarten teaching to think twice because at the present time we are getting taken for a ride. Not that we think there's anything wrong with kindergarten teaching it's just that the education department doesn't seem to know much about education.

M.E, Burt K.M.Goodwin

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