Teacher Resigns As Protest (Press, 21 August 1986)

In August 1986, a senior teacher from Orewa College, Mrs Matija McGowah, announced her resignation from the Post-Primary Teachers Association (P.P.T.A.) due to her opposition to a proposed Bill of Rights for homosexual teachers. Having been a member of the association for 39 years, she expressed her disillusionment with the direction the union was taking, particularly regarding the proposed legislation that aimed to protect the rights of homosexual educators. Mrs McGowah raised concerns about the speed at which the proposal was being advanced, indicating it was being "rushed through too quickly" without sufficient discussion or consideration. She specifically disagreed with a recommendation in the document advocating for the positive teaching of homosexuality in classrooms. Her apprehension stemmed from worries about the potential influence this could have on students, especially concerning the new health programme that was being implemented. In her resignation, Mrs McGowah aimed to create a platform where she could openly voice her objections to the proposed paper. Her stance reflects broader apprehension among some educators about changes in teaching content related to sexual orientation. The secretary of the Westlake Boys' High School branch of the P.P.T.A., Brian Norton, also reported that 29 staff members at his school were contemplating resigning, illustrating the growing dissent among teachers regarding the proposed changes to the association's policies.

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