CORRESPONDENCE

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 270, 16 November 1887, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE

THE MIDSUMMER HOLIDAYS.

(To tho Editor.)

Sir, —Will a shorter vacation at Christmas bo an advantage to the scholars and to the teachers ?

The conference of chairmen of tho city and suburban schools looked ab the question from a parent's point of view. We proposo to glance at the subject from a scholar's and teacher's view.

Experienced educationalists have proved that the work which the children do in summer is not to bo compared to tho same work in colder weather, for the heat of summer causes mental as well as physical lassitude, while the teacher's task is much harder for a smaller result.

A gentleman who has held high educational appointments in South Australia, Victoria, and New Zealand, remarked that that the results obtained in Victoria were better than in South Australia, while New Zealand was greatly in advance of Victoria, and this marked difference ho attributed to the long summer vacation in New Zealand, as it enables both scholars and teachers not only to rest from their arduous work bub to gain strength for the coming year's work. Shorter midsummer holidays will surely cause move " breakdowns " of both teachers and scholars, and no parent who takes any real interest in his child will advocate such an alteration.

The cry for this reduction comes, principally, from those people whose children attend irregularly and from parents who look on the schools as places where their children will be out of the way, and where they will not destroy they clothes.

We certainly consider that the teachers deserve some consideration. It is very unfair to them to have the holidays continually altered, and if the shortening process is begun, they havo no guarantee where ib will end. If the teachers have more work to do, it would be only just to recompense them accordingly. But ib would be especially unjust to make any alteration this year, as the examination takes place about the 9th of January, and many teachers would have only one week's recreation after a very trying ordeal.

Besides the two reasons we have advanced —the injury to the health of teacher and scholar, and tho injustice to teachers—we give another which should itself be sufficient to prevent any alteration in present regulations. Mr Gorrie, Chairman of tho City Schools Committee, stated that tho Board would lose £1,500 by shortening bhe holidays, and that we cannot afford. Pro Bono Publico.