According to the returns of the Registrar of associations as at December 2006, there are more lady members than male ones in the main unions of the primary sector. The figures are the following: - Government Hindi Teachers? Union: 262 males and 299 females; Government Teachers? Union: 2,022 males and 2,452 females; Government Urdu Teachers? Union: 29 males & 39 females; Govt Primary Teachers? Union: 638 males & 735 females.

Therefore it is crystal clear that there is a tendency towards feminisation of the profession. Whatever the reasons for this, it is high time that certain tendencies be adjusted. There should be no discrimination based on gender as far as class allocation is concerned. Due to family reasons, the transfer exercise must undergo readjustments. It is high time that maternity leave be reconsidered.

Catering for lady teachers should not be summarised as organising International Women?s Day. It should go far beyond this. This feminisation tendency should be one of the considerations of the next PRB report ? such is the expectation of lady teachers as well as male teachers.

<B>Sunilduth MUNGUR</B> Ralliement des Démocrates