Requirements

In training for teaching, trainees have to meet certain financial requirements that pertain only to their vocation. Opportunities for secondary and holiday employment are severely limited in comparison to university students. The vacation period is much shorter (seven weeks) and the practical training component makes part-time employment a difficult proposition. Such employment, if obtained, is subject to secondary taxation and of course, teacher trainees are not eligible for employment under the Student Community Service Programme.

The time spent in schools can be particularly expensive. Clothes, for example, are expected to be of an 'acceptable' standard and clothes can be an expensive item. Out of town teaching practice results in high travel expenses and the doubling of accommodation costs (rent, power etc). The period spent at teachers' college is recognised as the time when teachers gather their classroom resources - a costly process.

These considerations show quite clearly that teacher traineee allowances are not as lucrative as some of our opponents would like us to believe. The minimum allowances received by trainees under 20 is $60 per week after tax. Given the training related expenses and the scarcity of secondary and vacation employment opportunities it can be seen that teacher trainees are not that much better off than students in technical institutes and universities.