CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21746, 31 March 1936, Page 16

CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS

TO TEH KDXTOB O* THB MUSSS. Sir,—ln these days of advancec viewa on the health of children, ii seems strange that the educationa: authorities so strongly advocate th< consolidation of schools. In many districts where consolida. tUm is established, parents are finding that the long days so caused are hav in* very serious effects on the fcealtl of the younger children. In many case! children leave home at 7.30 a.m. t< walk some distance to catch a schoo bus. After travelling for about ai hour in ill-equipped and over-crowdec buses, they are certainly in no condi tion to study. Arriving home at 4.4! p,m., or later, they are too tired anc over-wrought to eat, and it is impos aible to train them in any way, as a the first sign of correction, howevei mild, they are in tears. Surely there is no need for thest conditions. Even at the risk of j ■lower education in early life, le., m to 11 years, it is surely better to re tain smaller schools near at hand. Personally, I find that small childrei fL, a &?!./* Perhaps 40, get verj little Individual attention, and, in an-* case, the ones who have already tra" ireiled 10 miles or so after a half •aten breakfast are in no conditioi to learn. I feel I cannot speak too strong!* «n this subject, and I hope othe" parents will support me.—Yours, etc -- . „ , MO MOTHER. March 30, 1936.