Stn,—My letter published in the Spectator on March 12th (signed
" A Chairman of a School Management Section of a County Education Committee ") has produced an interesting and useful discussion, which will, I hope, bear fruit. Some of the adverse criticisms have been answered by some of the critics, or by supporters, whom I should like to thank, particu- larly Mr. Brocklehurat and Miss Louise Field. By way of general reply, however, the following points may perhaps be further emphasised.
First, no one in his senses would suggest that elementary- school teaching is a profession for which every young lady or gentleman anxious for employment is suited. But even if the great majority of the class in question feel unable or unwilling to adopt it, we need not conclude that there are not many who could find in it congenial and useful occupation. Then as to the salaries. Mrs. Cope is of course, in principle, quite right to distinguish between the value of salaries with board and lodging and salaries without them. At the same time, a comparison of the salaries paid to clerks and (shall I say ?) curates with those paid to teachers is not altogether in favour of the former, especially having regard to the absence of pecuniary claims upon the latter, and of the need to keep up " appearances." Moreover, the "independence" of a teacher's position, as contrasted with the trying position of hundreds of resident governeises and companions, ought not to be forgotten, as a considerable compensation for loss of board and lodging, even on Mrs. Cope's somewhat high scale of 30s. a week. Salaries, too, should be regarded in the light of the maximum, no less, than in that of the minimum, or commencing, amount; and there is the prospect of advance- ment. But, besides all this, the general answer would again seem to be that even if the financial attractions are not good enough for everybody, they may well be for somebody. There must be many young women of scanty means who take up some other 'kind of employment in order to eke them out : and the point is, why should not this particular kind of employment receive more attention than it has done? Again, as to the work and its difficulty. There is no question of rose colour. Difficult it may be, and wearisome, especially to some people,—most work is. But, making all allowances, is it so hard as to be, deterrent ?* In country schools, at any rate, the ordinary hours are from 9 to 12, and 1.30 (or 2) to 4 (or 4.30) ; and this with free Saturdays, and also six to eight weeks' regular holidays.
Lastly, there is, one point which, though only mentioned by one correspondent (" An. Elementary Teacher "), and then only to be dismissed as of no consequence, is, in the opinion of some people, not to be so lightly treated,—viz., the question of social position. Your space is too valuable to permit a detailed treatment of this important matter, but one may fairly say that such difficulties will vary according to the particular circumstances of each case, depending as they do upon the character and disposition of the head or fellow teachers, the nature of the neighbourhood, and the tact and quality of the individual. One answer might be that there is considerable latitude at present in the choice of schools, and that if the choice has been made unfortunately, there need be little delay
As to examinations;.-besides the recd official examinations, the
Elementary 'School Code, 1903 (price 3dwhich contains all necessary information; provides (Schedule IV.) that the Oxford or Cambridge 1.Tunior) Local Examination is a sufficient qualification for " pupil-teacher " ; and the same (Senior) Examination is equivalent to a KS. Examination,—i.e., qualities for tho post of " assistaut-teacher," carrying with it a commencing salary of from £50 upwards. '
in finding another appointment. But there is a limit to this: way of dealing with the case. And after all, probably the manner in which any one is treated depends chiefly upon himself or herself ; and, at any rate, suck difficulties will grow less and rarer in proportion as the social quality of teachers rises.
If this correspondence has done, or may do, anything to bring, about this latter result, by inducing young people of the right sort to become elementary-school teachers, it will have fulfilled its object.—Thanking you, Sir, for allowing me in your columns to raise again a subject which has, I am quite aware, long engaged the attention of many persons well qualified to deal with it, I am, Sir, &c., Burghfield, Reading. H. G. WiLLINH.
CHINESE LABOUR: A SOUTH AFRICAN VIEW.
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