School appoints two head boys because no girl was up to the job (apparently!)

ICYMI its International Women’s Day today! A day where we celebrate the achievements of brilliant girls and women and get our voices heard in the strive for equality. So hearing the news that a school in Oz has decided to appoint two head boys instead of the traditional boy and girl because apparently no girl was up to the job makes us want to sob.

As reported by the Daily Mail, the principal of the co-educational public school as defended her decision claiming it was based on “merit, not gender.” But Chris Sutherland, CEO of Gender Equity says that argument could be flawed.

“Merit is a very subjective method. Most organisations say they promote on merit and yet the majority of key roles in nearly all organisations are men, which suggests that something is amiss in the process,” he told The West Australian.

“I think it doesn’t make sense that you would appoint two male heads,” he continued.

“It makes far better sense that we should be choosing one boy and one girl to represent the interests and diversity of the school.”

The Principal went on to say that the decision was based on criteria such as a students record, interviews, speeches and votes from both pupils and staff. And despite the criticism by some that it represents a gender bias, the school says it has received no formal complaints over the decision to appoint two boys.

“The head prefects for 2017 were selected through a nomination and merit selection process and our strongest applicants were two males, which is why they were appointed,” Principal Lea Fairfoul-Hutcheon told the West Australian.

“I think people would absolutely expect us to select the two candidates who are most suitable for the role — regardless of their gender.”

What do you think? Should the school have appointed two boys or is it a case of choosing the best candidate no matter their gender? Let us know @YahooStyleUK

Why we’re raising our sons as feminists

Do we even need International Women’s Day?