Children Unsupervised Out Of School Hours

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28013, 6 July 1956, Page 14

Children Unsupervised Out Of School Hours

By a Stag Reporter of “The Press’*')

The arrival of young children at school long before teachers come on duty is causing concern in Christchurch. Inquiries in some suburbs yesterday showed that it is common for a few pupils to be in the ground's by 8 o'clock and that these are ofttn the ones most prone to trouble, sickness. or accident. There was one differing opinion—that “because they are left to fend for themselves like little snimals they are tough in nature and Byso in physique.” This speaker was referring to children who are known to come from homes where both parents are working—needlessly, in the opinion of the teacher. Fathers known to some teachers have lucrative jobs yet their wives work "as much for the company and interest as for the money." The ’’modem symbols of social prestige—.Toney and the things it buys." was another reason given for both parents working. Effect in the Schools The effect of this in the schools is chat some children leave home before 8 a.m. when their parents leave f«»r work, dawdle on the streets and get nto cheeky habits, reach school when they know there will be company of their own kind, and then run the grounds, often getting into mischief, until staff comes on duty. In winter weather such children often have sopping wet shoes and socks, have had falls in sliding upon ice. and have frequently caused the only damage that occurs in the school, if it is raining they may have no shelter. Some m ” even have opened their lunches from sheer boredom. Teachers are not due on dutv until 8.40 a.m. and at that time school street crossings and the playgrounds come under supervision and the school accepts full responsibility for its pupils. After school, the pupils who arrive first are often the last to leave. They hang about the grounds until they are summarily dismissed. They mav’then go uninvited to the homes’ of friends, but are more likely to roam the streets or frequent neighbourhood shops (they usually have lots of money* and stay out until nature's call of teatime. By then their parents may be home. Had the children arrived earlier the house would have been locked.

Teachers believe that there are onlv a few cases of widowhood where such F situation may have some justification. In these cases there is usually an arrangement for neighbours to have some oversight over the children. But it is more common for the children

needlessly left to their own devices to be shunned by neighbours. They are pests, they are badly behaved, and they are a bad influence on the neighbours' children. Mothers’ Social Engagements Another element enters into the problem after school. It is the mother who. although she dees not work, spends most afternoons out on social engagements. She is likely to be welloff. her children will be well-dressed and have an abundance of toys, but in being left unsupervised they become "little savages.” Still other cases are reported where the mother may be home, but is content to have her’children run the streets “just to get them ii’ my hands." All these are the parents to whom educationists, churches, and social workers are directing their appeals fur better home life. The problem has now existed long enough for the symptoms to be quickly recognised. These parents are the ones who seek premature entry of their children to kindergarten and school. Sometimes false ages are given, and this is one reason why the Education Department is seeding early production of a birth certificate. Children from such homes are hard to control in the playground, in class they are either already tired or restless: their general knowledge. interest. and aptitude are not good, and their progress is often impeded. However. in some respects they may be precocious. These are the pupils whose need of special consid- ration and help has led tn the creation of a variety of special classes. Such treatment, in association with calls at the home oy visiting teachers, often works wonder«. but in other cases the pupils will ev ntually end up under the supervision of the Child Welfare Department, perhaps after an appearance in the Children's Court.

Christchurch teachers are willing to give all possible assistance, but in such cases they think they are not getting a fair deal from parents. They have been appalled when, after inquiring whether both parents work, they are told to mind their own business.’ Although this question may appear to suggest inquisitiveness about private affairs, it is asked on entry to school and other times simnly in cases of illness, schools have been un-

able to trace the parents of some cupils. Neighbours who are then asked

to help have often been kept com pletely ignorant of the employmen of the mother concerned.