DIRECTION OF TEACHERS
SIR,—I am distressed by one aspect of recent educational policy that seems not to have received sufficient attention—I mean the allocation of a quota of women teachers to an educational authority. I am not concerned to debate the question of better distribution, but to examine one result of what amounts to the direction of women away from those authorities under whom they have in the past, as a profession, preferred to teach, towards those under whom they have not. Now among other incentives, in a general way this means away from liberal-minded authorities and headmasters and colleagues towards those which, either constitutionally or through lack of funds, are not so liberal.
But a regulation concerning applications for posts will chiefly affect the young teacher who has just completed her college training and is seek- ing her first post. It will certainly tend to approximate averages, but unless a teacher is no more than a pawn, Mr. Tomlinson will not get the results he wants. Fci example, Lincolnshire is in great need of teachers, as indeed of clergy and probably of doctors. But of what sort? I submit that, unless they are filled with a missionary enthusiasm and equipped by their training to sustain their energy, they will rather be devoured by Lincolnshire than tame it. The " rut " is no apparition.
At present young friends of mine are being refused work for authorities and headmasters, and in schools where they had hoped to complete their
-training and where they are actually needed. They had intended to continue with their experiments in educational technique under the guidance of senior members of the profession that they admire, to exchange Ideas in a liberal atmosphere, to develop a full teaching personality in a measure of freedom from that heavy overloading which confronts a teacher, and finally to give their maturer energies in the service of some less fortunate area. Will the anxiety of the Church over Lincolnshire ever lead to the placing of deacons as incumbents? Will the medical profession ever waive its years of practical training? Are the doctors and pastors of the mind alone to be allowed, even compelled, to practise on the helpless intellect straight from college—and against their will?
I suggest that, whatever the supply of teachers, the Minister of Educa- tion will much better accomplish his intention by exempting all those leaving college from this provision for a period of, say, two years. For those who have done their training fully and conscientiously under some wise and liberal headmaster or headmistress will themselves take up the serious educational tasks of the country with a more enduring and in- structed zeal.—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, D. A. C.ATON. Alpha House, 7arvis Brook, Crowborough.
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