DOMINION TEACHERS.

Mataura Ensign, 27 September 1913, Page 5

DOMINION TEACHERS.

THE SEX RATIO. According to the annual report of the Education Department, there was in 1912 a grand total of adult and pupil teachers in. the public schools of 4743, as against 4551 m 1911. Tho ratio of male to female teachers in all the schools is: Male. Female. 1910 100 to 170 1911 100 to* 172 1912 100 to 177 The increase, last year was due to the appointment of additional assistant teachers in lieu of pupil teachers. There is a tendency nearly all over tho world, continues' the report, for women to replace men in school positions formerly occupied by tho latter alone, but the scarcity of male teachers is not nearly so marked in New Zealand as in most other countries. It does not necessarily follow that the tendency tin moderation at all events) is bad. Half the children in our public schools arc under the ago of 10 years, and women teachers are presumably most suitable for them. Nearly half the. remainder, or nearly a quarter of tho whole number, are girls over 10 years, and it is generally conceded that they should be taught by women so far as class teaching is concerned. There would be nothing to fear, therefore, if the proportion of women teachers to men teachers ivcrc three to one.