SCHOOL IN THE OPEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 213, 6 September 1916, Page 4

SCHOOL IN THE OPEN.

I v . .SOME STRIKING INTORMATIO* SUPPLIED BY DEPARTMENT. i ' ■'.' -' - DISCUSSIOX BY EDUCATION BOABb A definite pronouncement in favour of the principle of open-air schools w M I made in a circular memorandum received by the Auckland Education Board tii> morning from Dr. W.J. Anderson Dirw tor of Education. The letter stated that encouraged by the good results that have 'been obtained through the establishment of open-air schooh in England ■ Canada, and the United States, th?£W cation Department has taken initial steps towards the introduction of this form of school building in cbnnectioa with a number of native schools. Recen* additions have taken the form of open verandahs suitable for open-air teaching. A SUCCESSFUL TRIAL. At the South Wellington School ai open-air class-room was erected- some years ago, and careful records We been kept of the comparative result* in the, physical and mental development of the children taught in the opan-air building as contrasted with that of the children taught in the ordinary school building These records show a distinct advantage for the former children, not only wifi regard to height, weight, mad general health, but also with regard' to mental alertness and energy. Scholars ai well as teachers prefer the open-air building. Applications are being considered from several other districts for the eieetibn of similar open-air class-rooms. 'The Department in making these experiments ' desires to find the best mode of adapting j the open-air type of building.to iNewZeaI land conditions. INQUIRIES OVERSEAS. Application has been made td Mutational authorities in Canada, England, and the United States, and elsewhere for plane and details of construction, as fell as for descriptions of equipment' til methods of working this type of achool ■ J Upon receipt of this further information the Department hopes to be able to {iro-. vide for open-air schools wherever the climatic conditions are at all favourable. Experience shows, however, that even is such a rigorous climate as that of York , shire open-air schools can be need throughout the whole of the Bhgluh winter with great ibenefit to the health: of the children. The Department's medical inspectors in both North and South '■ Islands frequently urge the establishment of open-air classes, and it a the intention of the Education Department ito do all that is possible in this direction, t ■ ;;'... '•■'■:}' "- SOME SUITABLE TYPES. Dr. Anderson states that provisibn for open-air instruction may take any of the I following forms; A verandah Where pupils can be taught in drafts on fine i days; a separate open-air claae-room i suitable for occupation in all weathers; • 'and ordinary class-rooms in which the: j upper portion of the wall opposite to the side from which the light is admitted , can be thrown open. I Mr. J. D. McKenzie (chairman), in «■ I pressing.approvar.of. the.p r of the j Department, f emarkej ! jbenlarly' that in I the North they had long ago had experilence of open-air schools, claeeee being ! instructed in woolsheda and cdw-ebedi. (Laughter.) .:.;■ .:;'.,-::. SNOW ON THE GROUND. Mrs. Baume said that when on a visit to America recently she 'had been greatly interested in the' work of. open-air ' schools there. The classes ■were con- ' ducted practically in the" open,' and eithough there was sometimes enow on the ground the children looked the picture of ■'■■ health. Sliding doors were, largely ussd Jin the construction of the sthools.". '■■' J Mr. John Farrell, architect to ' tht ■■ I Board, stated that the desirability : of the I establishment of open-air schools had !-been prominently before the authorities. JAt present the Board was arranging for. ; the construction of a school on open-air ! lines at Tauranga. I Mr. R. C. Smith drew the attention of 'members,to the fact that in his district. In the North teachers made a practice of < taking classes outside whenever the wit/ ther permitted.- Often for ]--n«r'period in the summer the decks and chairs were left under the trees from day to day. ■ Mr. E. K. Mulgan, senior inspector, : pointed out that all the open-air schooU he had seen in the Old Coimtfywtre for children suffering from physical or mental defects. There were great diffi-, culties in the way of conducting daeaea outside of children whose activities were normal. It involved frequent shifting of , seats, desks, and tables., What they were endeavouring to do was to get as much air as possible into the echools. Thi» 1 was what they 'were trying to do in the I school at Tauranga referred to Jby-JMft , .'; Farrell. It would be exceedingly diffienlt to create conditions under which children could t>e taught for tie whole time in the open air.