SCHOOL HOURS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19879, 24 February 1928, Page 14

SCHOOL HOURS.

Sir, —By keeping the schools open for the full day at the present time a serious strain is being imposed on the children. This is admittedly the hottest summer we have experienced for more years than we can remember and, although in recent years it was decided to work the schools half-time during the hot weather, in this, a record one, in the majority oi: schools the unfortunate children are being kept in full class-rooms through the hottest part of these sweltering days. I understand that, there are two or three exceptions. The Education Board has left the matter in the hands of the headmasters with power to act aft their discretion and this is the result. It is a fact that numbers of the children are fainting and sick with the heat in school during the day. .The teachers have to bring them out from the desks to revive them. The health of our children is of infinitely more* importance than the loss of many lessonis, or delay in" the work of the syllabus and it is riot difficult to realise how intensely trying it is for children to be sitting close together in desks in full rooms trying to. concentrate on brain work under the present conditions. February is almost over, but no matter what the calendar month is, halftime should be enforced in the schools during the hot weather. Observer.