Motherless Pupils

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32077, 27 August 1969, Page 12

Motherless Pupils

Sir,—While so much attention is being given to all aspects of education in New Zealand I am surprised that no mention is made of motherless children in schools. Many mothers will agree that a considerable amount of their time is given to assisting their children with their studies at home and supervising their homework. There must be many widowers with young children who have to face this problem. How do they manage? , No-one seems interested, least of all the education authorities. A harassed father at the end of a day’s work eannot possibly give his children the help they need, and educationally many of these children must fall by the wayside. Surely a scheme could be devised whereby these children are given extra help to make up in ’ some measure for their loss and to keep them on an ■ equal footing with children ‘ in a more fortunate posi--1 tion.—Yours, etc., CONCERNED. August 20, 1969. [The Superintendent of Education (Mr H. M. McMili lan) replies: “The resources > of both primary and second- ■ ary schools are available to assist in whatever way the school can in the case of a 1 motherless child. In primary ' schools the class teacher, a ’ senior member of staff, and , the head teacher are normally aware of the child’s i circumstances and take a spe-

cial interest in him. A visiting teacher is asked to help where circumstances warrant. I n many secondary schools

tutors are appointed. Form : teachers and tutors normally make it their duty to know \ the special circumstances which affect pupils, and they 1 give help and advice accord- ; ingly. A primary head teacher or secondary school principal . would always welcome an opi portunity to discuss with a 1 widower the particular problems of the education of his : children.”]