THE TEACHING PROFESSION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12429, 19 February 1901, Page 2

THE TEACHING PROFESSION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In your issue of Feb. 16 you have an interesting account of an interview with Mr J. G. L. Scott, headmaster of the East ; Cbnst-. church School, on matters connected with the teaching profession. While agreeing with much that was said by Mr Scott, in the course of his chat with your reporter, I should like to express my dissent from his conclusions on certain points. With regard' to pupil-teachers being appointed solely from the well-to-do, or cultured class, I hope that distinctions of this kind will hot be. raised when making appointments, hiit that the sons and daughters of working men will be allowed an equal opportunity with those of a higher social position. If I-wish-ed, I could give you the names of many of our school teachers whose parents are working people, but who, nevertheless, have risen to good positions in primary and secondary schools. Many of these s and giris gained scholarships, end distinguished themselves at the High Schools and the University. Their English is unexceptionable, and free from idiomatic peculiarities, such as saying “kike” for “ cake.” If a pupil-teach-er is given to these grave faults in pronunciation, he or she should be severely corrected by the headmaster, whose duty it is (I take it) to fit him or her for the profession. If pupil-teachers are incapable of receiving instruction in the proper use of the King’s English, their services should be dispensed with. As for Mr Scott’s assertion that girls have the capacity for managing a class to a greater degree than boys, I should like it backed up by facts and figures as to results before 1 accepting it. -If it can be proved that such is the case, the headmistresses of our large schools should be given the positions and salaries which are now enjoyed by men.—l am, etc.,