SIGHT-SAVING CLASS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27094, 18 July 1953, Page 8

SIGHT-SAVING CLASS

BOARD ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE

“I was most impressed by the work that is being done by Miss Mavis Bowen in the special sight-saving class at Waltham School for children with varying degrees of defective vision,” said Mr A. E. Lawrence at a meeting of the Canterbury Education Board yesterday. He was making a report on a visit he had made to the class with the senior inspector of schools (Mr J- F. Johnson). ‘‘This is the only class of its kind in New Zealand, though others are being planned,” said Mr Lawrence. ‘‘l am anxious to see that the present large waiting list for the class is accommodated at the earliest possible moment, and I recommend that urgency be given to the provision of a prefabricated room for Form II at Waltham School, so that the room now being used by Form II can be released for use by the sight-saving class,” Mr Lawrence continued. From time to time Miss Bowen had been asked for details of her work by schools out of Christchurch, and though willing to meet the requests she could not find time to give the help that was being called for without some assistance. Clerical help from the Education Department was not possible, Mr Lawrence said, and he asked that the board’s office provide a suitable typewriter so that copies 'of material used by Miss Bowen could be reproduced and dispatched direct to the schools requiring guidance.

The chairman of the board (Mr S. J. Irwin) said he would investigate the matter to see if any help could be given.