SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19412, 21 August 1926, Page 9

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.

Sir,—A majority of committees has declared in favour of an increase in the holidays. This is quite simple, because if the Education Board does not want to decrease the holidays of the secondary why not increase those of the primary schools ? Surely , the younger children. need as long holidays as the big ones. The country children have to work hours before going to school in the mornings and on coming home in the evenings. Why then, allow the country committees to carry on from_ February to June or July if they feel inclined ? The Easter holidays are too short to be considered a rest, and-'the-health of the children being just as important in the country as in the town, it seems inhuman to allow them to drag on from January to July v without a rest. It is also trying to the teachers; —teaching being the nerviest of all work,' one mind having to dominate a number of'active and rebellious younger minds for. hours on end. This is very difficult if one is mentally weary and tho strain is terriffic'when tho pupils ere thoroughly tired of school work. I am sure that' the work done between May and July'would'be of very little value.' The parents of the school children do not seem to have been consulted in this matter. Why ? Country Pabekt.