WOMEN TEACHERS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14988, 8 June 1914, Page 3

WOMEN TEACHERS.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE GIRLS

SOME INTERESTING VIEWS

(rBESS ASSOCTATIOV.TECrGKAM.) "WELLINGTON, Juno 6. -Some interesting questions relating to educational matters were discussed at a meeting of the "Wellington Association of "Women Teachers, held last evening. Miss P- Myers presided over a largo attondance. Miss Myers addressed the meeting on the importance) of the pdncatiou ot" girls oii the broadest lines in order to equip thorn for the great influence they would wield over the. mon of the next generation, either as mothers or as teachers or as nurses. Jn these capacities, she said, —omen v.-ere closely associated {With/' 'all young children,- and had the greatest influence throughout the most impressionable years of both boys and girls. The girl of to-day must be educated with this fact well in view, and it was only reasonable to acknowledge that, if the proper authority wero given to suitable women, much improvement on the present system could bo obtained. The Minister for Education had desired to be informed of matters discussed by the women teachers. The fact that a resolution, to the effect that women members should bo included in the proposed Council of Education showed how geueral a feeling on that point existed. The psycho-physic-logical needs of girls at tho adolescont stage, said Miss Myers, could not bo adequately understood except by women. Another very important matter in the education*of girls was the increasing demand for a knowledge of domestic science—peculiarly a subject for women to deaf with. The unification of tho educational system was an importaut function of any controlling body; and in order that this could be done effectively, all classes must bo represented. If' the girls as well as the boys were to be educated so as to equip them fully, physically, mentally, and morally for the* battle of life, the counsel and judgment of women, as well as of mon, must be brought to bear on what so vitally concerned the future welfare of the nation. The present conditions would have''.o be modified to effect improvement, and it would be necessary" that tho women selected for the purpose should, have first-hand knowledge of the conditions prevailing in the schools. They should be able to take a. comprehensive view of education, practical, and in sympathy with tho human, element that was to bo doveloned.

Miss Coad then moved :—"That the powers of appointing teachers be removed from committees and vested in educational Boards and inspectors." The motion," she said, did not propose to abolish committees. They all realised and appreciated the committees' powers of assisting the national system of education. For instance, they did much to arouse local interest in the schools, and with the co-operation of the teachers, they provided apparatus, libraries, etc., and were instrumental in providing for the sanitation of schools. It was well known that seme school committees themselves wished they had not the power of appointinE: the teachers, and realised the limitations of a parochial and local view: and in some cases committees committed gross mistakes by not knowing enough about teachers and their qualifications. From a teacher's point of view it was much more satisfactory that someone—f6r instance, the In-spector-General—who had some knowledge of the applicants' efficiency und service should make the appointments.

An amendment to add the words "ponding the appointment of an administrative Couucil of Education," was adop+ed and the motion was carried unanimously.