THE DOMESTIC SERVICE REPORT.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sia,—Probably most women have followed the newspaper accounts of the meetings of the Committee appointed to inquire into the conditions of domestic service with much interest, and the Report has come as a disappointment to those who expected that some immediate solution of the problem would be found. The question seems to resolve itself largely into one of training, and the Report failed to give particulars of the facilities now available.
The Gloucestershire Education Authority has since 1895 awarded scholarships tenable at the Gloucestershire School of Domestic Science for six months to girls from fourteen to sixteen years of age who have previously attended classes in domestic subjects in the elementary schools. The girls, who are carefully chosen, live in a hostel presided over by a trained, working matron. Three girls remain in turn at the house to do the work under the matron, while the others attend the School of Domestic Science for training. During the last three months they are allowed to specialize in any subject for which they show any marked aptitude. At the end of six months a simple examination is held, and a school certificate for proficiency is awarded to the successful can- didates. With this training a girl can command good wages and good conditions of work. Before the War there were several similar training schools where the girls led happy, healthy lives. The Committee might have recommended that these schools should be revived, developed and carried on in every county. Every woman is not fitted for domestic service. Mistresses, too, must realize that times have changed and that servants expect more consideration and freedom. Training facilities followed by the award of certificates after examination would put domestic service on the level of other recognized and honoured professions.—I am, Sir, &c., FLORENCE BADDELEY.
(Principal of the Gloucestershire School of Domestic Science.) Cathedral House, Gloucester.
Previous page
