SIR,—Katharine Whitehorn in her excellent article has not exaggerated the
dismal plight of the teaching profession. The shortage of teachers is indeed causing immense difficulty and frustration. However, my im- pression is that since the new salary scales were introduced last year interest in teaching as a career has slightly increased, most welcomely among boys.
T. his seems to justify Miss Whitehorn's conclusion that Inadequate salaries form the factor which militates
most strongly against recruitment. But there arc other factors.
If We WWII to get more teachers, especially graduate teachers, we shall not only have to raise the basic salary; equally important will be the introduction of Me sort of personal benefits and privileges people are learning to regard as commonplace in well-run indus- trial and commercial concerns, e.g., a properly organised system of promotion which gives the good Worker something to look forward to; a widow's pen- sion scheme, especially important to young married LneoPle; family allowances and, possibly, service bonuses. 'Moreover, every encouragement should be given to young teachers to engage in research in the subjects which interest them and to take a vital in- terest in the wider aspects of education. There is too much tendency to regard the teacher as a technician When he
sional. ought to be thought of always as a profes-
Sabbatical leave is another subject on which many teachers feel strongly. Teaching is essentially an occii- nation for the mentally fresh. A dull, jaded teacher. Punch-drunk on routine, is a had teacher, however conscientious. Indeed, conscientious dullness is the bane of the profession: Teachers should be warmly encouraged to take long refresher periods every five or ten years, returning to their universities or travel- ling abroad, In fact, what we require more than anything— because everything springs from it—is a more liberal attitude to the profession generally at all public and official levels. After many years in education 1 am Pretty sure that the lack of this liberal attitude is not generally the fault of the professional administrator. who is often enlightened and eager to have teaching a buoyant, creative profession rather than, as it some- "Vs gives the impression of being, a paradise for hellyachers.
But while education, and especially the salaries of teachers, remains tied. to the local rates, economic factors will always take precedence, often in issues Where money should not be the first consideration. There is a strong case for reform of the whole oppres- sive system of educational finance. A more generous and liberal spirit may well arise in education when local authorities are relieved of the constant necessity of placating the ratepayer.—Yours faithfully, H. M. DOWLING
CcqiniY Grammar School. Crewe Headmaster
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