§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the dismissal of a teacher because he refused to allow his class of senior boys to be examined by a woman inspector of physical training; and what is the attitude of the board on an issue of this nature?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMMy attention has been called to the case in question. I understand that the official described as560W a woman inspector is one of the women organisers of physical training employed by the local education authority. The board consider it very desirable that local education authorities should employ both men and women organisers, and that the organisation of physical training for senior boys should as a rule be undertaken by men organisers. At the same time it must be remembered that there has been a great advance in the technique of physical training for children in recent years, and that an expert woman organiser is qualified to give advice as to modern methods which would be of value both to men and women teachers. The board would not, therefore, be prepared to agree that, pending the appointment of men and women organisers in all areas, schools for senior boys should in no circumstances be visited by women organisers.