Board Criticises Timing Of School Holidays

Press, Volume C, Issue 29520, 23 May 1961, Page 14

Board Criticises Timing Of School Holidays

(New Zealand Press Association)

PALMERSTON N„ May 22. A completely unrealistic view was being taken in starting the end-of-year school vacation period in the early weeks of December, the Otorohanga College board of governors submitted to the Commission of Education in Palmerston North today.

The board recommended that Christmas holidays should start as close as possible to Christmas Day, and that the re-opening of schools should be delayed if possible to the end of February, or at least as late in February as possible. The board gave its reason for this recommendation that February was the hottest month of the year and that under the present system “it appears to be the endeavour to make sure children spend every day of that month at school.”

“One is forced to assume that Noel Coward’s ‘Mad Dogs and Englishmen’ applies to the powers that be who order our education programme." said the board.

“Hot weather is not conducive to mental agility and to expect children, sweltering in the February heat, to attempt to assimilate a reasonable percentage of- what is conveyed to them, or to expect teachers to be able to impart knowledge when their inclination is to go to sleep, is quite absurd." it submitted

The board also recommended that in order to sustain pupils’ interest in their school work, examinations should be delayed until as late as possible in the year, particularly School Certificate and University Entrance.

Cars Collide.— A car overturned at the intersection of Hereford and Barbadoes streets after it was involved in a collision with another car about 9.05 p.m. yesterday. Colin William Tew. of 107 St John’s street, the driver of the overturned car, escaped injury as did the driver of the other car. Colin Anthony Barnett, of 61A St. Martins road.