STRAIN OF WAR YEARS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22098, 2 May 1935, Page 12

STRAIN OF WAR YEARS

EFFECTS UPON PARENTS NERVOUSNESS IN CHILDREN STUDY OF PROBLEM URGED [ritO.M OV It OWN CORKESPON DENT J M ATA MAT A, Wednesdn y That, there was need of greater recognition of the fact that many school children wore suffering as the result of war-strain on their parents was the considered opinion of some 2-1 dolegates from nine schools in the Matainata district, which specially discussed the question on Tuesday evening. Mr. A. M. A. Wright, chairman of the jMatamata District High School, presided. The question was raised bv Mr, (.«. -Mockridge, chairman of the Turangaonioana School Committee, who, after giving numerous instances of nervous weakness transmitted to children, emphasised that special classes would bo catastrophic. What was needed was specially-qualified teachers in the larger schools. Mr. L. Flower urged that the education system had not kept pace with the requirements of modern life in this respect and a radical overhaul of the system was necessary.

Mr. Wright remarked that the question was a world-wide one. Medical opinion was to the effect that it would take at least another generation before the effects of tho Great War on tho population would pass away. In these circumstances something should be done in tho interests of the nation of tomorrow. In his opinion specially-quali-fied teachers with roving commissions in schools would assist in providing a solution.

Other speakers referred to tho bane of homework and examinations on nervous children, and finally tho following resolution was approved unanimously:—That this meeting considers that war-strain undergone by parents has accentuated a situation which should have tho immediate attention of the Government, in that a great many children of such parents are suffering keenly as tho result of mass teaching methods through not beinu; physically iit&Bd to compete on even terms along the old lines. This meeting suggests that as a remedy tho Government should give urgent consideration to tho question of appointing speci-ally-qualified teachers to go from class to class in the Jargor schools giving a personal touch in coachinii such children.

It wjis decided to forward tho resolution to tho actiug-Prime Minister and tho Minister of Education, and copies to various federations of school committees.