MARRIED WOMEN TEACHERS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1931, Page 7

MARRIED WOMEN TEACHERS

QUESTION OF EMPLOYMENT.

A PROTEST FROM MOTUROA.

The question of the continued employment of married women teachers formed the subject of brief discussion at . the meeting of the Taranaki .Education Board yesterday. Members of the board pointed out that at present the position was outside the control of the board, which had always taken u,p the attitude that the board should be allowed discretionary power in the matter.

The question arose on receipt of a copy of a resolution passed by the Moturoa School Committee. The resolution expressed the strong opinion that the time had arrived when the board should seriously consider the question of the retention of married women teachers in its service. The committee was aware, it was stated, that there were many cases where it was necessary for women teachers to continue their profession, blit there were instances in the opposite direction, and they felt that owing to many teachers being unable to gain appointments the dismissal of certain women teachers would create further room for employment..

It was resolved to forward a copy of the letter to the department.

The secretary stated that last June, in reply to a circular from the department, he had compiled a return showing that there were then 40 married women teachers in the Taranaki district. One teacher was assistant in one school, while, her husband was sole teacher in another. There were 26 women teachers whose husbands were in receipt of separate incomes either from ■businesses or as employees of some department. Earlier in the meeting a report was submitted to the board showing that there were 54 ex-trainees in. the district out of permanent employment, of whom only 2Q were receiving temporary employment.