When teachers cleaned chimneys

Press, 1 February 1986, Page 15

When teachers cleaned chimneys

Life for teachers in New Zealand in the late 1800 s and early 1900 s was not a bed of roses, according to a set of rules published recently in the National Education journal. Although they seem Draconian, the chairman of the Tauranga Museum Board, Mr Noel Bowyer, has assured us of their authenticity. Teachers contemplating another year’s hard grind should take heart when they realise just how much their lot has improved. Rules for Teachers 1872 • Teachers each day will

fill lamps, clean chimneys.

• Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day's session.

• Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to the individual taste of the pupils.

• Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.

• After ten hours in school, the teachers may spend the r emaining time reading the Bible or other good books. • 'Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.

• Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of his earnings for his benefit during his declining years so that he will not become a burden on society.

• Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls, or, gets shaved in a barber’s shop will give reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity and honesty.

• The teacher who performs his labour faithfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of twenty-five cents per week in his pay, provided the Board of Education approves. ...and in 1915.

• You will not marry during the terms of your contract. :

• You are not to keep company with men. • You must be home between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 p.m. unless attending a School function. • You may not travel beyond the city limits without permission of the Chairman of the Board. • You may not loiter down town in ice cream stores. • You may not ride in a carriage or automobile with any man unless he is your father or brother. • You may not smoke cigarettes. • You may not dress in bright colours.

• You may, under no circumstances, dye your hair. ■ • You must wear at least two petticoats and your dresses must not be any shorter than two inches above the ankle. •To keep; the school room clean you must: • — Sweep the floor at least once daily. - ; • — Scrub the floor with hot, soapy water at least once a week. • — Clean the blackboard at least once a day. • — And start a fire at 7 a.m. so that the room will be warm by 8 a.m. These documents are preserved at the Tauranga District Museum Historic Village Complex.