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Wealthy settlers were non-existent and good farm land near to a parents’ home was scarce. The next alternative was to look for another way to make a living. The eyes of the youth turned to the magic land, the “West”. Many of the young people went for the excitement of the Harvest Excursions’, remaining there for the winter doing odd jobs, and returning to the Island to help the parents put crops in the ground. In August the cycle began again. Eventually the West became a permanent home for many of these young people. A steady decline in the rural areas population had begun.

This migration kept the economic conditions at a low keel and resulted in the status quo for education. Older people were holding the reins of the school business; their interest in educa— tion waning. Their family was grown and by keeping themselves in office a stationary system of education resulted for many young students in the school system.

Rural education lagged behind the towns again because Government support was being with- held. The more populated areas could overcome this by raising the tax rate. This was not pos— sible for the rural areas who were dependent upon the Provincial Government for two—thirds of the Teachers’ salary. In the early Twentieth Century all Government Departments were demanding a greater share of the treasury funds. Education was forgotten and excuses were made by those in charge who stated that money was forthcoming from the Federal Government. Until that time arrived, no money would be made available for an improvement in Teachers’ salaries. The ‘war of words’ continued to surface every year and then die quickly during the “War Years” as everyone concentrated on the eliminating of the enemy so that peace would be our priority.

By 1949 the teachers had suffered enough at the hands of a supposedly ‘non-caring’ Prince Edward Island Department of Education. At the Annual Teachers’ Convention in the spring of 1949 the Premier and Minister of Education gave his yearly address to the members. His plan was to settle the demands for an increase in teachers salaries for the coming year, at least.

His reference to the teachers as being no more than “professional babysitters” nearly caused a riot among those in attendance. Most schools had at least thirty pupils in each classroom. There was still no promise of any modern conveniences or amenities in rural areas, which could assist the teacher who was trying to cope with students studying all subjects in all grades from I to X. The Honourable Minister was “booed” and actually left the auditorium before he had completed his answers to questions posed by the teachers.

The following is taken from the Prince Edward Island Teachers Federation Newsletter, May 1949. It certainly proves that the teaching profession was considered to be the lowliest position

which a person could occupy.

Throwing all caution to the winds, the Minister flailed the teachers

for continuously harping on the salary question He accused the

teachers of giving the Government no thanks at all for increases in

salary the Premier told the convention “that ‘until the farmers’ income went up, yours won’t." The Government simply cannot do more until

the new tax agreement is made with Ottawa in 1952 the cost of living

on Prince Edward Island is lower than in other provinces and farmers

here are getting slightly more than half the per capita income of the

farmers in Ontario and British Columbia. Considering other wages, if

you consider that today’s teacher averages only one hundred and ninety-

five teaching days per year, the teachers are not doing too badly. Everybody lives here for a little less. Teachers may supplement their earnings by working in tourist camps or eventually go into nursing where there is better money,

I suggest that teachers should think more of their obligations than their rights, Instead of dwelling on thoughts of security, think of the contributions you

can make to your country. Work both brains and muscles to capacity and be happy permancy is not expected (as) you are teaching until you find something else

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