TEACHERS' POSITION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 287, 26 March 1941, Page 5

TEACHERS' POSITION

RELATION TO HOME GUARD Since the Home Guard was first formed the Executive lias been seeking some .guide to the duties of teachers in relation to. it, and several interviews with the Director of National Service and his officers have been arranged. We are now able to publish a letter from the Director which makes the position clear. It reads :

'From time to time education organisations raise the question as to whether school teachers should serve in the Emergency Organisation or in the Home Guard. 'As the matter is definitely up -with the important questioiijoE the protection of school childrenfflpi an emergency developing duriffig school hours, I would like to Repress the opinion for the infoig|iation of your Institute, that as ap&STieral rule school teachers wotiW|be rendering the greater joining the Emergency Scheme organisation in theirj| v respective districts. -jmt 'The question of providinffisome organised protection for children during school hours discussed at a conference of representatives of the principal Emergency Precautions organisations recently and it was decided to .arrange for the inclusion in each organisation of a special Committee consisting of a representative of the Education Board and three or four local headmasters whose duty it will be to determine what measures should fee adopted at each school to provide maximum protection for the children,, particularly in respect of conditions likely to arise from enemy air raid or bombardment. All Emergency Precautions Scheme organisations are being advised accordingly. 'These Committees will be able to determine also which members of school teaching staiTs should be .attached to the Emergency Precautions Scheme organisation and which could be released for service in the Home Guard if. they so desire. However, having regard to the paramount importance of caring for school children in such circumstances and to the advisability of hav-» ing such responsibility placed in the hands of the teachers who have the confidence of the children, the Derpartmental view is that generally speaking members of the profession should accept service .with the Eemrgency Precautfons Scheme.

'I feel sure that this view willappeal to the teachers themselves. They will appreciate the fact that service in this organisation is just as important as. service in the Hornet Guard and that by giving special attention to the safety of the-chil-dren in their charge they will create in the minds of parents a feeling if confidence which is so desirable* at- such a time.'