MARRIED TEACHER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 40402, 18 January 1930, Page 3

MARRIED TEACHER.

APPOINTMENT OF WOMAN, AUCKLAND BOARD’S STRONG OBJECTIONS. A strong protest against the proposed appointment of a married woman teacher as assistant at a •-•cliool where her husband is headmaster was made at,ia meeting of the AndUand Education Board on Wednesday. Inquiry by members allowed that the woman, being the highest-graded applicant, had lo receive the post and regret was expressed that the board was not vested with discretionary power in making such appointments. A letter was received from the school commit tee objecting to Iho appointment and pointing out that there was a great deal of unemployment- in the (caching profession. Mr. H. 8. W. King said that the woman was married and had three children. Tt was unfair lo other applicants that she -should apply for a lower-salaried position and obtain it on account of her high grading marks. “Whether the laef that husband and wife will he teaching in the same school will lower the efficiency is a matter for the inspectors,” said Mr.' King. “Personally T have my own opinions.” Mr. S. B. Bints said that the senior inspector, Mr. C. IV. Garrard, might he asked to reconsider his recommendation. Mr. Burns stifl'd that Mr. Gerrant had. caJrofully considered the matter. It was laid down in the regulations that the highest-graded applicant must obtain a post. Under the circumstances, the hoard was helpless lo interfere. In reply to Mr. W. -T. Campbell, Mr. Bmms said that the hoard caw aid do nothing even by disagreeing wit'll the senior inspector. “It is a scandalous state of affairs,” said Mr. Campbell. He suggested that the position should he placed before the Education Delia rfment. Mr. J. Primrose said he understood that the regulations prohibited husband and wife from teaching together. Mr. Burns said that that was not so. 'file hoard had formerly asked for' discretionary power in dealing with spelt eases, but it had been refused. MV. Campbell said that he was not opposed to the senior inspector, who would have recommended differently if possible. Mr. Burns said that the appli-

cant. could probably make a. successful appeal should the department decide to give effect to the hoard's proposals. He suggested that a wiser course would he to state the position to the applicant, and possibly she would withdraw her application. The chairman’s suggestion was adopted and it was also decided to place the matter before the Minister of Education and the Education Department.