REOPENING OF SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18996, 18 April 1925, Page 10

REOPENING OF SCHOOLS.

MORE DISTRICTS INCLUDED. DECISION OF THE CABINET. WAIKATO STILL UNDER BAN. [BY telegraph.—own correspondent.] WELLINGTON. Friday. Owing to a partial lifting of the health restrictions, school studies have already be«n resumed in the following areas:— Central Auckland Health District (comprising tho Counties of Eden, Manukau and Franklin, and all Boroughs and Town Districts geographically contained in or contiguous to the said Counties). Central Wellington Health District, and A portion of the Wairarapa-East Cape Health District. Tho Cabinet this afternoon approved of the opening of secondary schools, technical schools, and secondary departments 'of district high schools in the Dominion on Monday noxt, April 20 j also all primary schools in the Dominion except thoso in the South Auckland health district (Waikato), the Otago education district, and the Canterbury education district, but all schools in the counties of Westland and Grey may reopen. The Cabinet also decided that the ordor, under section 76 of the Health Act, prohibiting the congregation of children under 16 years of ago at theatres and other public places be revoked as from Monday next in all districts in the North Island except Waikato, and in all parts of the South Island except Otago and Canterbury. This decision releases Southland, Westland, Nelson, and Marlborough from the order. It is pointed out by the Education' Department that attendance at the primary schools has not yet been, declared compulsory. The percentage of attendance compared with that before tho outbreak of tne epidemic of infantile paralysis at tho end of November cannot yet bo determined. It is anticipated that the attendance will bo quite as good as usual. Some apparent losses will possibly be explained by transference of families from one district to another, or from ono school to another. Parents generally are very eager to send their children back to school, and the children arc more than usually eager to get back to their work after a prolonged compulsory holiday. In areas where Schools have been opened already a formal notification has been issued that until further notice attendance"' at the primary schools is not compulsory. This does not indicate doubt in tne minds of tho authorities as to the advisability of opening the schools, but the notification relieves tho Government of any responsibility in regard to tho caso of any parent who wishes to exercise his own judgment in regard to the matter. RESUMPTION AT WANGANUI. THE SECONDARY SCHOLARS. r P ,Y TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.} WANGANUI. Friday. The Wanganui Collegiate School, Girls' College, Convent and Technical College aro in full swing again after a record vacation. The attendances are normal. The majority of the pupils attending the Technical College have been doing their lessons by correspondence, and considerable leeway has been made up. The children of the primary schools have not been allowed to reassemble yet. In tho meantime the correspondence system of homework is working well.