Nothing ever changes

In the course of our big clear up, I have found a report from 1947 on the provision of laboratory assistance in schools:

The really depressing thing is that it's saying almost exactly the same as much more recent reports from CLEAPSS, in terms of how there need to be more technicians in schools with better training, pay and conditions. I can't believe we're still in the same position over 60 years later!

This report is itself an update on one from 1938, although I guess the war kind of got in the way! One thing I'm glad we don't have any more is 'laboratory monitors'. It suggests paying pupils of the school do do lab tech work in their free time. Eep!

At least there has been one major improvement since 1947. The pay scales in this report suggest that women should be paid 80% of the salary that their male counterparts get. Thank goodness we've moved on from those days!