Review of ‘chauvinism'

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34029, 18 December 1975, Page 2

Review of ‘chauvinism'

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 17. The Education Department will investigate its manual and directions to education Iwards after allegations last week of ditecrimination against married women applying to enter teachers’ training colleges. Education Department officials met representatives of the Student Teachers’ Association after complaints that notices sent to mothers and solo fathers applying for the college were chauvinistic and heavy-handed. The president of the association (Mr Alex Purves) said that the association had received a sympathetic hearing and that he was confident

“something substantial” would be done. The notices asked applicants with children what care their children would receive while they attended classes. Mr Purves said applicants objected to this for two reasons. “PRIVATE BUSINESS” “First, it’s no other person’s business what they do to look after their children, and people should not poke their noses in. They do not ask this of married men or others, so why should they with certain people? “Second, the question is not asked of people who have ageing relatives to look after or other dependants. “These questions ask the people to make a firm commitment. and we think they should be asked of everyone.” Mr Purves said that although the department’s manual did require the ques-

tion to be asked of all applicants, there was evidence that education boards did not do this. MORE MEN Mr Purves did not know of the rejection of any highly qualified women because of the requirements, but an increasing male intake at teachers’ colleges was making the problem worse. The present ratio of three women to one man was being balanced out, and this accentuated the problem because men were being promoted and encouraged into teaching. The department’s superintendent of teacher training (Mr B. King) said the questions were not levelled only at women, and there was certainly no aim of sexual discrimination. Education boards were required to ask all applicants if they were able to meet the requirements of the course

and if they could take up a position anywhere in the country. Guidelines were issued by the department to the boards, but these were not aimed specifically at married women.

‘‘All we are concerned with is that people can meet the requirements,” he said. The first basic requirement was that the applicant must be suitable, and the second was that the selection committee could assure itself that the applicant could take up any position. He would look at the department’s office manual to check whether there was any suggestion of sexual discrimination. “We are going to make sure that it is very clear that our concern is for men and women and their responsibilities; we want the whole thing to be fair and just,” said Mr King.