THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1922. OPEN-AIR CLASSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18020, 20 February 1922, Page 6

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1922. OPEN-AIR CLASSES.

The controversy which has arisen over the decision of the committee to observe full time at the Mount Albert school may mark a radical change in educational methods if it leads committees generally and the board to consider tho modifications of existing practice demanded by the summer climate of Auckland. When the city is furnished with schools so perfectly ventilated that the children are practically sitting in the open air—and this the ' modern ideal in school buildings—it may be possible to keep the ordinary hours during February without detriment to the health of scholars and teachers. In a few of the more modern buildings — whether the Mount Albeit school is one of them lis a matter on which opinion is apparently sharply divided—this may even now be possible. But it is admitted that in the majority of schools the usual routine cannot be followed. Hence the sanction given year after year by educational authorities to the curtailment of school time during February, the hottest and most trying of the summer months. This compromise is far from being ideal, and it is time educationists faced squarely two questions arising out of it. The first is whether even the reduced school day is not detrimental to children's health. If the conditions become

1 intolerable during the full school day there is a strong presumption that during the half-day they are by Ino means healthful. It is a question Ito which a general answer cannot i safely be given, since schools differ | greatly in their standard of floor ' space and ventilation. Many of the | Auckland schools are on the border line, but it is gravely doubtful I whether any conscientious doctor I would sanction the use of the older 'and more congested buildings for 1 1 even the shortest session on a typical February day. If that is so, and the board can easily put it to the test, . - there should be no hesitation in 'closing these schools altogether till the muggy weather is over. The second question is whether the present practice secures the greatest educational efficiency which is possible under the ispecial circumstances. Here again the verdict would probably be adverse. Children learn little unless they enjoy a reasonable degree of physical comfort, and only a few schools in Auckland provide that during the present i month. The obvious way of escape ! is to take the children into the open, I to the playgrounds, if shaded, or to : the parks and beaches. Full hours 'could be worked in the open, and ! every teacher with any initiative i would impart more instruction than | during a half-day spent uncomfort- : ably indoors. There are few subjects that cannot, be taught with as much facility out of doors as indoors, some can be taught far more advantage-

ously, and practical demonstrations can be used to bring to a focus the various subjects studied in school. Open-air classes are no innovation in other countries. The grim inspector who would not recognise any class hours except indoor ones has long since received his quietus, and the ! London County Council last summer I sanctioned over 100 open-air classes lin parks, most of them ordinary classes working part or the whole of their time out of doors. Whatever can be done in the way of open-air instruction in London can be done under far better conditions in Auckland. It is not too late to make the experiment this summer. The term " outdoor school work " need not be narrowly interpreted. Auckland is fortunate in possessing a museum and an art gallery such as few cities of its size enjoy. Do they hold no lessons which may be a more vital part of education than the three r's which teachers are daily endeavouring to force upon tired pupils in a vitiated atmosphere? There are few schools in Auckland which are not situated near a park or a beach. Is there any practical reason why teachers should not take their classes under the trees and there teach practically all the subjects in the syllabus, leaving written exercises and testß for a more convenient season? And what of the opportunities for teaching the elements of physical geography, natural history, botany, geology and kindred subjects? The gain in general knowledge would more than compensate for any slight derangement of the syllabus, though it must be emphasised that the i expediency of open-air teaching i should not be determined with refer- ] encc primarily to the syllabus. The 'health of school children is the i governing factor, and in the present j crude and unsatisfactory compromise I it has received far less consideration i than it deserves. The whole subject | demands the fullest consideration ! with less regard for the conventions jof education than for the physical i and mental well-being of young Aucklanders. If, as educationists appear to agree, February is in the school calendar a month of uncertain progress there should be the less hesitation in giving a fair trial to a system which promises better educational results as well as better health jtaz teachers and taught.