OPINIONS OF WOMEN TEACHERS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 197, 18 May 1936, Page 3

OPINIONS OF WOMEN TEACHERS

Meeting of Association RECOMMENDATIONS COVER WIDE RANGE The educational conferences which were held at TA elliugton last week concluded with the annual meeting of the New Zealand Women Teachers’ Association on Saturday afternoon. Delegates from the North aud South Islands attended. Approval was given the following remits: — That the proficiency examination be abolished. (Masterton.) That those contributors to the teachers’ superannuation fund who have unbroken service of which some/ years do not count for superannuation purposes be allowed to count those years on payment of such a sum as may be decided by the Government. (Auckland.) That opportunities for paying in back superannuation be afforded all members of the teaching profession. (Hawke's Bay.) That kindergartens should be attached to all primary schools in crowded areas. (North Canterbury.) That the question of children leaving school at the age of 12 with proficiency be inquired into. (.Masterton.) That the W.T.A. press for an immediate improvement in the standard of English and in the contents and extent of part lof the .School Journal. (Waimea.) That the leaving age for children attending special schools be raised to 15 years. (North Canterbury.) That the Act limiting the employment of married women teachers bo repealed. (Auckland.) That the Education Department be asked to proceed with the consolidation of small- country schools, only where such consolidation is in the best interests of the children. (Masterton.) That the association make urgent representations for increased avenues of promotion for the large number of grade I women teachers. (Taranaki.) That the attention of the .Minister of Education be drawn to the lack of avenues of promotion for women. (Hawke's Bay.) That the attention of the Minister be drawn to the fact that in some cases married women, although retained in the service, are being debarred from promotion. (Waikato.) That in view of the movement toward nursery schools in all progressive countries, the Government be requested to establish such schools as an integral part of the New Zealaud system of education. (Auckland.) That infant rooms of grade 6 and 7 schools should be so staffed that (he infant mistress would be free of a class to allow of supervision in her department. (South Canterbury.) That five-year-old entrants be admitted to large eity schools only during the first week of term. (Auckland.) These reaffirmations were approved :— That every endeavour be made to have rescinded the recent regulations abolishing the 2A position for senior women in schools. (Auckland.) That in all primary, mixed intermediate, combined technical and intermediate technical and secondary schools where there are large numbers of adolescent girls there should be a senior mistress witii status and salary commensurate witli her responsibility in the interests of the girls. (Auckland.) The following remits were lost: — That the present system be modified so that the history curriculum may be widened to include the history of the development of tiic main European nations in order that international understanding should bi- fostered. (.Masterton.) That in view of the feeling for the necessity of teaching sex hygiene in schools. trainees in training colleges should lie given instruction in teaching this subject. (Mastertou.) Masterton is to prepare a report on the question of child labour during school da vs. The delegates who attended were Misses M. IL Byers and J. S. Johnston (Wellington), Miss I. Tankersley (.Masterton), Miss M. S. Tuffin (Wanganui), Misses E. Walker and A. C. Tcbbs (Hawke's Bay), Mrs. K. A. Johnston (Pnhiatua-Bush). Mrs. D. M. Ruff (Taranaki), Miss V. I. Curtis (Manawatn). Mrs. N. Chisholm, Misses F. J. Taylor. E. M. Taylor and M. S. Andrews (Auckland), Misses K. Turner and E. C. Sapsford (North Canterbury), Miss F. Sun-naw.-ty (Timaru). Miss M. Baird (Southland), Misses B. Woodhouse and V. Hayward ' (iltago). Mrs. A. Foully. Misses J. G. Park. J. M. Stewart. E. B. Lea and M. G. Wateon (executive).