OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19357, 9 July 1928, Page 11

OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir—Your correspondent "Enquirer," in his letter to you on Friday last, appears to be concerned for economy of ground space when schools are to be built in Christchurch. Professor J. J. Findlay, the well-known educationist, writing about the English conditions, has something to say on this subject. May I give a few quotations from his works which may be of service to "Enquirer"? "Instead of putting money into stone and bricks, to say nothing of architectural ornament, if the first .thought were given to securing ample space in land, the expenditure would be well repaid. For children, old and young, need space and air; if you once get the land, you can put anything on it and remove anything from it." "The land in England does not suffice to supply us with food; but there is enough, and more than enough to supply our children with opportunities for work and play in the open-air." Some day we shall realise, that it is possible to conduct at least fifty per cent, of our school education in the open-air, with temporary buildings put up by handicraft teachers and hefty schoolboys, on large spaces on the outskirts of our towns." "Open space 13 more important than elaborate buildings." Professor Findlay's argument is roughly this: —That very young children should be accommodated in open-air nursery schools near their homes, and he -appears to think that even m the large towns in England such a thing, although not easy, does not present insuperable difficulties. For older children he recommends the erection of temporary or B emi-pcrmanent school buildings on open spaces on the out-

skirts of the towns. Existing means of transport are available to reach these schools should they be beyond walking distance from the children's homes. I trust that you will excuse such a long letter, but it is so delightful to find that one's reading has an immediate and practical use apart from examinations! —Tours, etc., STUDENT. July 7th, 1925,