THE SCHOOL AGE

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 138, 13 June 1934, Page 6

THE SCHOOL AGE

I am in complete agreement with "A Disgusted Mother" over the above question. The Minister of Education completely ignores the fact that resolutions of protest, representing thousands of parents, were passed at practically all meetings of householders throughout the Auckland" Province at least, and probably throughout New Zealand. After all, surely no one is in a better position to judge of the evil effects following the exclusion of these children than the headmasters and the infant mistresses. The latter have given their opinions in no uncertain voice, and I hope they. will be heard of again. There was recently sent out to the schools a report published by the Auckland inspectors protesting against undue acceleration in the infant department, and stating that these children should not be denied "two years of joyous activity in their earliest school years " In face of this, I consider that it is absurd for the Minister to say that any lost time will be caught up before the child leaves school, as the average child certainly requires one year in each of the standards. In plain English, there is no ignoring the fact that the present legislation means that the child wil} leave .school one year later than if- he commenced at five years of age, and hence be one year later in commencing his life's work. * ALSO DISGUSTED.