CONSTITUTION OF HIGH SCHOOLS’ BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 19409, 18 November 1926, Page 13

CONSTITUTION OF HIGH SCHOOLS’ BOARD

PARENTS' REPRESENTATION SHOULD WOMEN BE APPOINTED? When a draft scheme of control for all secondary schools, forwarded by the Secretary of the Council of Education, was being considered by the Otago High Schools’ Board yesterday afternoon the question of the representation of women on the hoard as a representative of the parents was discussed, it being decided to forward a suggestion along these lines to Wellington. ~ , Mr J. M. Gallaway said that some time ago the suggestion was made that the parents of pupils at the girls’ school should be represented by a woman, and the parents of those attending the boys’ school should be represented by a man. There wore any number of capable women to accept the position, and he thought the girls’ school should be represented. „ Mr T, K Sidey, M.P.: It would entail another election roll and more cost. Mr W. R. Brugh: Suppose we cannot find the ladies to do the work. Mr Gallaway: There will bo no difficulty about that. Mr Sidoy; Would your suggestion render men ineligible to represent the parents of pupils at the girls’ school? Mr Gallaway: Yes, certainly. Mr Sidey said that be did not see any harm in sending the suggestion forward, though it would involve the secretary in the extra work of putting on another roll. Mr Brngli asked who was entitled to vote at present, the secretary stating that both parents were eligible to vote. Mr Brugh; You won’t want to take away the father’s vote, Mr Gallaway? Mr Gallaway; Oh, no! It was decided that when the secretary sent forward to the Council of Education suggestions for the scheme for control for all secondary schools the suggestion should be included that the parents should elect a woman as the representative of the parents of pupils attending the girls’ school, and a man be appointed to represent those of pupils attending the boys’ school.