SUMMER SCHOOL HOURS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15514, 22 January 1914, Page 8

SUMMER SCHOOL HOURS

AVOIDING HOTTEST PERIOD.

WORK SHOULD BEGIN EARLY

EDUCATION BOARD'S VIEWS

The most suitable hours for the instruction of pupils attending the district schools during the summer months was the subject of a report and discussion at yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Education Board. Tho report, which was drafted by the board in committee in consultation with the chief inspector, was adopted, the members expressing the opinion that school committees would be well advised to rearrange school hours during the hot months.

The report stated that, alter due consideration of the matter, the members were of opinion that probably the most suitable hours for instruction for pupils attending the schools during the summer months would be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the morning, and from 12 to 2 p.m. for the afternoon session, as this arrangement would very largely, if not entirely, exclude the hottest part of the day- from tho hours devoted to school work. Last year a number of the city schools adopted the plan of opening at 8.30 a.m., but, after a trial of a few months, the hour of opening was changed to nine o'clock, which seemed at present to be the most convenient hour for beginning school. There was no doubt, however, that, from the child's point of view, and indeed from the teacher's, it would be better to begin school during the summer months earlier than this hour, and it was to be hoped that, as parents and members of committees became more accustomed to the idea of an earlier opening hour, the necessary reform would be forthcoming. The members were of opinion that school committees would be well advised seriously to consider the advisability of so arranging the hours during which tho school should be kept open that the afternoon session should not extend beyond 2.30 or 3 o'clock (even an hour earlier than this would be preferable). Further, that this arrangement, which was most needed during the warm weather, might be applied with advantage in some districts during tho entire course of the year.

The chairman (Mr. Garland) said that the parents evidently did not recognise the grave necessity of sending children to school, early in the day during the summer months. The matter really rested with the householders and committees, and he considered that when the former took no interest, the committees, in the interests of the health of the children and teachers, should move in the matter. The board had no feeling in the matter, neither had its officers any desire to thrust the system on the children. He quite appreciated the fact that the proposed arrangement was more suitable for town than for country j children. j

Mr. K. C. Purdie said he was convinced, after 30 years' teaching experience, that it was better for the children to be let out of school as early as possible in the hot months. In fact, no good was gained by keeping children in school during the hottest hours of the day. It was decided to adopt the report, and to send a copy to each school committee in the district.