1950s school record player question
 

I have had a 1950s school record player for about 6 months now, and it has been fully restored.
The problem is when it is turned on the power indicator and platter do not come on, you have to fiddle with the volume control to get it to come on, what is wrong it has slowly been getting worse.

Dirty/sticky switch on the on-off-volume knob?

I agree on the dirty switch. Spray some Deoxit, or other similar control cleaner, into the control and run the control through it's range a few times.

Just curious; but, exactly what kind of record player is this? I'm a fan of those older classroom record players.

Im not sure what kind it is, because its gold label has worn off.
its from the 50s