SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 19 April 1912, Page 6

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—As a mother having children going to the Town Schools. I have very much sympathy with those parents who have been summoned for allowing their children to go hop picking for a few weeks. The occupation is a most- Jieartn. ful one for the children, besides enabling the family to earn a few pounds to buy clothing for the winter and other small necessaries which could not be obtained out of the ordinary wage. I Tiost certainly take exception to the renarks of the Rev. MacKenzie where he states "a few parents who set more itore on a few shillings gained than the whole welfare of the child." This ut not so. The bulk of those who let their children go hop-picking value the education and welfare of their children as Tiuch as those in more comfortable circumstances, and are perfectly alive to :he necessity of their children getting what Mr McKenzie calls a "sound educa:ion." But they recognise th<it the health ->i the children is of the utmost importance, and children obtain increased vigour by working in the hop gardens ind breathing the pure country air, and -he money certainly comes in handy. I ilso entirely disagree with the rev. gentleman that "the idea to break up the holidays is an unhappy one," and contend that it would be more beneficial to the children to lave several breaks than one Jong holiday of six weeks. I have no doubt what, that it wbuld be to the educational idvantage of the children, who now forget so much of their lessons, I have often aeard it said that our educational luthorities have more regard for the wishes and convenience of the teacher?, •.han for the children or parents—but I lee no reason why the schools should not .•lose for two weeks at Christmas and four weeks, at Easter, or adopt the plan of the country committees. This would ! jrobably not suit the teachers ; but those who have small children will know the jreat inconvenience it is to have them about the house continually for 6ix weeks at a time. It may be all right for richer people who can send their children away. Mr MacKenzie concludes his letter bv sayin~ "I intend to maintain the rights of the children to a sound education." Now I am informed that neither Mr MacKenzie, the School Comnittee, or. for that matter, the Eduoav,ion Board, have anything to do with '.he kind of education given, that the curriculum is set out by the Education Department, and the timetable arranged }y the Inspectors. I trust that the ' Committee will have more consideration for noor parents who try to do their best : n the interests of their children. I am, etc., MARY ANN.