PROGRESS IN EDUCATION- SCHOOL GARDENS AND OPEN-AIR CLASSROOMS

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 11, 12 January 1918, Page 13

PROGRESS IN EDUCATION- SCHOOL GARDENS AND OPEN-AIR CLASSROOMS

7"^ 0l . dayS T S " mmer ; r nt , in over -" owtle ' l and °vor-heated class-rooms are anything but happy. The coming of the open-a.r school oilers a better experience for the school children of the future. Jocularly n town schools the surroundings are dull, and ugly as a rule; a bare stretch of asphalt with an occasional tree often constitute the play-grounds. The children at one Auckland provincial school at least are mors „?rTi w at + WhangaTC !' w ' lere ' " nd< ; r , the of their headmaster the teachers and pupils have combined to transform the bare and arid school grounds of four or five years ago into a most attractive from r f C « ' * Tf, > T ° rnamental trCCS ' bESidCS a Bmall experimental orchard and vegetable plot, worked by the children themselves. Technically known as an environment scheme, the children benefit not only tlTr «™ „2 + 2 **%? ft ^ ,r + 6tud ' es / re conducted under the trees in their own gardens, but their observation and love of nature arc increased and fostered by work among their own trees and flowers which are placed under their care and protection. It is claimed, too, that greater efficiency is secured from children educated under such a scheme, and with memories of the old-time class-rooms vividly before us, one cannot but agree and wish speedy progress _ to the new order of things educational. The photos riiow several corners of the school grounds, and give a good idea of what has been done.