Caroline Emily Vere Stevens (1867 - 1885)

On September the 14th a most melancholy death occurred from brain fever, evidently the result of over-straining the mental powers in order to reach the standard of learning at present demanded under the existing educational system. The victim in this instance, as in most cases, is a young lady, being Miss Caroline Emily Vere Stevens, eldest daughter of Mr Walter V. Stevens, commission agent. The unfortunate young lady is only 18 years of age, and has been engaged as a pupil teacher at the Parnell public school for the last 18 months. Like many others, she had been "cramming" in order to pass at the recent pupil teachers examinations. The strain was apparently too much for her constitution, for although she previously enjoyed the best of health, she rapidly failed during the time she was studying, and this ultimately resulted in brain fever. Drs. Kenderdine and Cobbett were called in, but the system had suffered so severely from the strain that medical skill proved unavailing, and the unfortunate girl passed away last night, thus making another added to the already large list of those whose powers were not equal to the standard required by the Board of Education. During the last two days Miss Stevens' mind was wandering back to her lessons and exercises, her last moment being occupied in totting up figures. The question at once arises: Who is to blame for this fresh victim? Is the standard required too severe for the mass of female teachers, or is it that some choose the teaching profession who should never in the first instance have entered it? The fact that numbers of others have passed successfully, and apparently with unimpaired health, would lead to the conclusion that, after, all, the blame does not entirely rest with the educational system. It is a question worth considering whether it is advisable for numbers of immature young women to be subjected to the mental strain of the examinations necessary to enable them to become school teachers when there are so many other openings in this colony to which their efforts might be directed with profit.

Thames Star, 16 September 1885