WOMEN TEACHERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3803, 1 February 1927, Page 68

WOMEN TEACHERS.

NELSON, January 24. The principle of giving preference in the appointment’ of. teachers to single women a; against married women was confirmed at the Nelson Education Board meeting today. The question arose when the appointment of a teacher for a special class for backward children was under discussion. The board had sent a list of applicants to the department, which forwarded two names for selection, a married woman being placed first and a single woman second. The Chairman (Mr F. W. O. Smith) said that as a general principle he always opposed married women being appointed when they had husbands to maintain them. It was different if a woman were a widow or had a sick husband to support. In these circumstances, the board had made exceptions. In answer to a question, the Senior Inspector said that the married applicant had outstanding qualifications. Children, ha said, should be considered. Mr Marris said he believed in the principle, but this was a case where an exception should be made. Mr Scantlebury moved and it wart seconded by Mr Wilkens that a single woman be appointed. .The Hon. W. H. MTntyre, who agreed with the inspector, said that the children should be considered, and he moved an amendment that a married woman be appointed. In seconding the amendment, Mr Harkness said he considered that an applicant with outstanding ability, whether married o? not, should be appointed. On a show of hands, the amendment was lost, only the mover and Mr Marris supporting it. The chairman did not v<4k