GOVERNMENT SCHOOL TEACHERS/POLITICAL ACTIVITY (WOMEN TEACHERS) (Equal Pay and Allowances)

Mr M. P. D. Nair asked the Minister for Education whether, in view of the declared policy of the Government to afford equal treatment for all schools and all teachers, Government school teachers will be permitted to contest the forthcoming City and Island Council Elections; and whether women teachers in all schools will be paid the same salary and allowances as their counterpart male teachers.

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Mr Speaker, Sir, the question involves service matters which are under the portfolio of my friend the Hon. the Chief Secretary. I shall ask the Hon. the Chief Secretary to answer that question.

Mr A. A. Williams: Sir, the answer to the first part of the question is that Government teachers, in common with other civil servants of equivalent status, are forbidden to take any part in political activities. They will not, therefore, be allowed to offer themselves for election to any statutory body representative of the community or of any section of the community.

The answer to the second part of the question is that it is not intended to make any change in the existing rates of salary and allowances for Government teachers.

Mr Nair: Will the Chief Secretary state why he does not consider it necessary that women teachers in all schools be paid the same salary and allowances as their counterpart male teachers?

Mr Williams: I think, Sir, that the question of equal pay for men and women raises major social and economic issues which cannot be adequately answered in a supplementary question.

Mr John Ede: Sir, will the Minister state whether he will give consideration to the granting of the same specialist allowances to married lady teachers as to single lady teachers?

Mr Speaker: I think the Hon. The Chief Secretary would rather have notice of that question.