strike over
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Caledonian teachers strike over school hours
Caledonian youngsters had hopes of their three months
summer holidays being extended,
when primary school teachers announced plans for an un limited strike at the beginning of March. But the youngsters
were disappointed.
The strike was threatened as about 13.000 state primary school children were due to resume classes on March 2. Teachers’ grievances centred on a new timetable, announced by the Education Department 10 days before the holidays ended. This changed the syllabus and reduced classes from 29i to 27 hours per week.
Teachers seized the opportunity to demand that the reduced hours be arranged in a way to eliminate the customary Saturday morning classes and to change the mid-week holiday from Thursday to Wednesday.
Parents were called upon to support the teachers’ demands. As the Education Department finally agreed to discuss the matter, primary school teachers eventually held a one-day “warning” strike when schools opened. Staff attended their respective schools, but children were left free for a day of recreation.
In the meantime, at the secondary level, 2,000 students were enrolled in the new year at the Noumea Lycee La Perouse high school. Over 1.000 returned to class at the Tech nical High School and inland centres.
Under the French system, educa tion is compulsory for all to the age of 14. In state schools tuition is free, with a nominal fee for books at the secondary level.
The Catholic Church also operates colleges for boys and girls in Noumea as well as inland. These schools were unable to introduce the revised timetable, because of the short notice given.
The new system provides for the following school week in primary schools, including sport: Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri. 7.30-11 a.m. and 1.30-4 p.m.; Saturday 7.30-10.30 only.
Trying to fit schooling around traditional French eating, siesta and recreation habits involves problems for all, not forgetting the “taxi driver” parents who are obliged to drive four times daily to each establishment their children attend.