EDUCATIONAL PROBLEM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3958, 21 January 1930, Page 71

EDUCATIONAL PROBLEM.

MARRIED WOMEN IN SCHOOLS PROTEST BY SCHOOL COMMITTEE. AUCKLAND, January 15. The Education Board considered a pro test by the Te Arolia District School Committee against the appointment of a married woman as an assistant on the grounds that the applicant was the wife of the headmaster, and that there was so much unemployment in the teaching profession. The senior inspector had no alternative but to recommend the ap pointment, as the woman concerned had the highest grading marks of any of the applied nts.

In the course of the discussion it was stated that the husband was drawing a salary of £4OO per annum. The speakei« generally supported the protest. l'he board decided to place the question before the department, recommend ing that the Act lie amended in fairness to the single women in the profession The teacher concerned is to l>e notified of the opposition to her appointment.

\ lEW OF WANGANUI BOARD. WANGANUI. January 15.

The employment of married women as teachers was discussed briefly by th” Education Board to-day. Mr F. Horniblow expressed the opinion tli«t when husbands could support their wives and families married women should not be appointed to positions by a board if there were other suitable applicants. He gt' e notice Io move accordingly at .Im next meeting.

QUESTION refereed to DEPAKTM EN T. AUCKLAND, January 16. The unfairness of married women whose husbands hold remunerative positions being engaged in the teaching profession was stressed at this morning's meeting of the Auckland Education Board. The discussion resulted from a protest by the Te Arolia District School Committee against the appointment of a married woman as an assistant on the grounds that the applicant was the wife of the headmaster, that there was much unemployment in the teaching profession, and that the applicant was a married woman with three children. The senior inspector (Mr C. W. Garrard) had no alternative but to recommend the appointment as the woman had the highest grading marks of all the applicants. The difficulty in which the board was placed in view of the woman's grading marks was mentioned by Mr King If the applicant insisted on getting the position, he said, the board had no altei native but to grant it to her. It did not seem fair that a married woman whose husband was receiving a good salary should get the position, particularly as the husband was the headmaster. It was a matter for the inspector to say whether the efficiency of the school would be impaired or otherwise by husband and wife teaching together, but he had his own opinion of the matter. " I am in agreement with the protest of the committee, he added, “ and if there is any means of upholding the protest I want to uphold it. I don't think the thing is fair at all.” Mr S. AV. Sims: I presume the .inspector has recommended the appointment? Of course, we have to be guided by him Mr A. Burns (chairman): That is so. We asked once that the Act be amended so that the board would be given discre tionary power in eases like this. Mr Campbell: I am not opposed to the senior inspector over this matter. He would alter the position if he could Mr R. Hoe: If we bring the matter before the department again it will nphasise the fact that it should be put right. Mr Burns suggested that the proper course to adopt was to refer the orotest to the teacher concerned, and see whether she still desired the position in the circumstances. If the woman realised that the residents were opposed to her apnointment she might withdraw. Mrs Donaldson observed that the husband was drawing a very good salary. A member: £4OO a year. I think the case should be presented to the applicant Mr Burns: If she insists on getting the position, she has to get it. I think, however. that in deference to the lady's feelings we should refer the matter to her. I think she can get the appointment in spite of the board if she is so ineHn-'d. Mr King argued that the department's attention nevertheless, should be d”awr, to the unsatisfactory position that existed. “It is in the interests of the whole question that the denartrmnt should be advised.” he said. “ The position is not fair to the single women in the profession.” It was decided to place the position before the department, and also to notify the teacher concerned of the opposition to her appointment.