WOMEN TEACHERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10594, 1 March 1895, Page 3

WOMEN TEACHERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —The Women’s Institute requests that you will kindly republish the following circular, directed to School Committees in April, 1893 I am, &0., HON SECEETARY. [enclosure;] ' We beg to bring before you for consideration question of" married women teachers. Owing to the rapid progress in national education, the ranks of the teaching profession have haen greatly extended, and the major part of the primary work is now performed by women teachers. Many of these possess a special aptitude for the work, and for various reasons find it desirable to continue teaching after marriage. Theta is every reason for believing that to encourage them to do so would bo greatly to the advantage of our scholars, especially as ; the higher-ranked married women show a greater tendency to remain after marriage in their profession than the lower-ranked. To a large extent the early years of a. teacher’s life are experimental. It is only with mature years that knowledge of methods and skill in the art of imparting are attained. It is surely unnecessary to point out, as an instance of this fact, that the most successful public and private schools, both primary and secondary, in the North Canterbury district are taught by married women. We think that to discard capable and clever teachers because they have changed their condition of life would be a. sacrifice of the best interests of our , children. Again, we feel that if our women teachers arc given to understand that when married their school work is to cease, they will naturally look upon the profession of teaching as merely a temporary one, and will thus lose a great incentive to arrive at a high degree of excellence in the, act,/and so the general average of teaching ability will be lowered. There is another view of the question which should not be lost sight of. The functions of motherhood call out and develop the qualities of tenderness and sympathy and a degree of patience with the waywardness of children, which are invaluable to the higher interests of the . pupils. We therefore ask that, for the sake of the welfare of the school children of this district and for the sake of fair play to women, you will resolve that there shall be no question of married or single women teachers, but simply one of ability to bring about good results. The strongest objection against married women continuing in their profession can be met by granting the teacher a longer holiday when required, provided she find a competent substitute.