Letter: Las Vegas has abundance of educators

Monday, March 26, 2001 | 9:59 a.m.

I'd like to debunk the myth that Nevada has a shortage of qualified teachers. The fact is that Nevada has an abundance of graduates certified and qualified to teach, and there are many re-entry teachers with degrees who are unemployed.

The educational scam begins with the false premise of a need in a specialized field. The implication is that for payment and receiving this degree, a job awaits in your chosen field. This ruse also has been used by gaming, electronics, air conditioning, cosmetology, and truck driving schools (many have closed). The institutes of higher learning have long promoted this premise in a more subtle way.

The rituals are rewarding and beneficial for the school hierarchy. They have a constant source of substitute cheap labor that may last until the next class graduates. Wages (if any) are often subsidized by various government grants making it a win-win situation for school and employer.

In effect what we need is less searching, less expensive studies and institute programs where local graduates are given preference. We should hire, promote and train our homegrown students, giving them opportunity for tenure and salary increases now allocated to the chosen few politically connected friends and relatives of regents, professors and their friends and relatives. The shortage needs debunking.

PAULA SARAGOZA

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