MARRIED TEACHERS' PAY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 295, 7 September 1920, Page 5

MARRIED TEACHERS' PAY

Sir —Muob. has been said about the increase to be made in teachers' salaries, and it was with sympathy 1 read Wanganui's" plea for tho married teacher. Ou whom, indeed, is tho burden of tho cost of living-falling so heavily as on those with little children? Our little ones must bo fed and clothed-but liow are wo to do it if prices rise higher.' The single, teacher has difficulties, but thoso of the married teachers are infinitely greater. But while an appeal is beino- made for the married man, what about the married woman who has likewise a family to-support? J.he regulations now >n force allow an additional X3O per annum to be added to the salary of a married male assistant, but in no case may this addition be granted a married female assistant, unless by special sanction of the Minister of Education. So, usually, the mother has to go to the little country school which at least provides a house, but carries about the lowest grade of salary, and do the best she may. Frequently help must be paid for in tho home, since ,the mother must bo absent through the day. And nil on the princely salary of something far short of .KOO. At tho present, time there are many married women in tho profession, and surely they should at least be placed on the same footing as men holding similar positions. True, some of these women have husbands. But have the powers-tliat-be any way of knowing whether' or not circumstances arc making them dependent on their own earnings? Woinon with children do no': return to their profession without grave reasons; but when compelled by circumstances they go forth and ha I tic la earn a living for those depending on them. And what a living it is on less than n year! Like "Wanganui," might I ask the authorities that when they come (o allot the increase in salaries they givo full consideration to the hardships of 'married teachers with children? And wouldit bo too much to ask that the largest increases should be given to those with the smaller salaries? It might even bo possible to dnculo what a teacher's "extra" is to bo by ascertaining tho number of dependants ho (or she) has to support, and allotting accordingly. We arc doing our duly to the State, m "Wauganui" puts it, in more ways than one, so ask the State to give us 6ome encouragement.—l am, eto., GRADE I.