TEACHERS AND WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24127, 20 November 1941, Page 8

TEACHERS AND WAR

POSITION OF RESERVISTS NO APPEALS BY BOARD [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Wednesday The attitude of the Otago Education Board toward appealing for teachers who have been classified Grade 11. and Grade 111. for military service was defined at a meeting of the board to-day. It was explained that, in general, Grade 11. men were temporarily unfit and Grade 111. men unfit for overseas service. However, most of these reservists were liable to be called up for home service. The point was raised whether such men would be better employed in the schools than in clerical or stores work in the Army. The board decided that it would not make appeals of any kind. WAR WORK FOR WOMEN LEAVE NOT TO BE GIVEN A decision not to grant leave of absence to women teachers who desired to serve as voluntary aids overseas was reached at the Auckland Education Board meeting yesterday, when two applications were received. The acute shortage of teachers was mentioned by the chairman, Mr. W. J. Campbell. He said more than 270 of the male teachers in the board's service were now with the military forces overseas. There was no shortage of volunteers for women's war work. He moved that, while appreciating the patriotism of the women teachers, the applications for leave be declined, and the motion was carried. WELLINGTON DISCUSSION POLICY ISSUE INVOLVED [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON, Wednesday A request by a woman teacher for information whether the board approved of women teachers applying for overseas service in a V.A.D. unit, and whether it would be prepared to safeguard the interests of such teachers, caused a long discussion at to-day's meeting of the Wellington Education Board. Members considered that an important matter of policy was involved, and the executive was instructed to investigate and report to the board.