CHILDREN ASLEEP IN SCHOOLS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27303, 20 March 1954, Page 3

CHILDREN ASLEEP IN SCHOOLS

EARLY MORNING FARM WORK

16-YEAR-OLD GIRL MILKS 25 COWS “The Press" Special Service KAIKOHE, March 19.

Instances of children going to sleep at their desks at Northland College as a result of the great amount of work performed at home before and after school hours.came to the notice of the college board of governors on Thursday. In his report the principal (Mr N. P. Pitcaithly) said that in many cases it was deemed advisable to allow the children affected to continue to sleep. “Only this week a case came-'before my notice of a girl aged 16 who, on her own, milks 25 cows before and after school and has been attending to all duties in the cowshed,” he told the board.

Mr Pitcaithly said it was obvious that toward the end of the week children working in such a manner were unable to perform their school work satisfactorily. He was of the opinion that the practice of parents expecting their children to attend to so much farm and other work at home was on the increase. In many cases it was almost impossible for' the children to do any home study, with the result that their progress was seriously retarded. Serious Stage All members of the staff, he said, agreed with him that the position had reached a serious stage, so serious that he had invoked the aid of officers of both the Maori Welfare and Child Welfare Departments to investigate the position this week at a full college staff conference, when each case would be discussed in all its aspects before being referred to the departments for necessary action. “While I realise fully that this problem may arise from economic strain on dairy farms,” said Mr Pitcaithly, “I am convinced that undue strain is being placed upon a large number of young people who are being asked to carry out two full-time jobs at the one time.” In answer to Mr J. Bark, Mr Pitcaithly said the instance of the girl milking the herd of 25 cows was not an emergency measure. Mr C. N. W. Kingston: She is working because, someone else is too tired. Homework at 9.30 p.m. Mr Pitcaithly: Exactly. That is just the answer. I am satisfied that many of our children are low I.Q. simply because they are too tired to be anything else. Some children cannot get. to their homework until 9.30 in the evenings and then their brains are too tired to assimilate knowledge. “Many of the children affected travel long distances by bus to and from college,” he added-. “It is just too tough on the children.” The chairman (Mr H. F, Guy) said he was pleased the principal had decided on a course of action with the welfare departmental officers. A great deal of money was. being spent to educate children and it was a pity if they could not get the chance to take full advantage of what was provided.