MARRIED WOMAN TEACHERS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20244, 23 May 1931, Page 9

MARRIED WOMAN TEACHERS.

EDUCATION BOARD'S POLICY. PROCESS OF ELIMINATION. Within two months married women teachers in the Canterbury Education Hoard's district are to be called upon to show reason why their teaching engagements should not be terminated, This decision was reached at yesterday's meet' ing of the Board, . ; The Appointments Committee reported that correspondence had been received from the Department in explanation of the effect of recent legislation on married women teachers. • It was resolved that the Board should adopt the following policy:— (1) Married women now in positions. —Not to be disturbed. (2) Married teachers under bond.;--Cannot be disturbed ,or rejected until expiry of bond, when they must resign. (3) Now employed and seeking promotion.—Not to be considered, except in special circumstances. (4) In employment, but - whose position has disappeared.—Engagement must terminate, unless under special circumstances. (5) Unemployed and seeking position. —Not to be considered, except in special circumstances. (6) Single women who' subsequently marry,—To resign, appropriate by-law to be adopted. The Board's Powers. Mr S. R. Evison said the Act gave the Board power to refuse to re-appoint, but not to dismiss, teachers. Mr C. S. Thompson said clause one was not quite. fair. The Board should secure a list of'the' married women now in the service together with their circumstance, a. Casep in which man and yrife were teaching in a school should be dealt with. •Mr R. Wild aaid legal advice should be obtained as to whether the Board had power to dismiss a teacher. Mr JO. J. Bignell said the teacher ha 4. the right of appeal. Mr W. P. Spencer moved that all the jnarriod women teachers should be dismissed and reappointed. They oowld be given three months' notice, he said, a.nd if they wore in distressed qircum§t.an(ses the Board could reappoint them, Wholesale Dismissals Qopdemnsd. Mr Thompson said whologalo dismissals would result in, The teachers should be called upon to show why they should not be dismissed. Mr Bignell aaid if a teacher oouid show hardship she would not be askecl to retire., Mr G. W, Armitage said the Act gave the Board power to refuse to employ married women. Mr Thompson moved ftn amendment that all married women' in the service should be called upon in two months 1 to show cause why their engagements should not be terminated. Mr Bignell ashed how the Board: could analyse cases of hardship., Mr Thompson's amendment was carried.