OVERWORK IN SCHOOLS. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5267, 6 January 1879, Page 3

OVERWORK IN SCHOOLS. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir—The letter signed " Ex-Matron," which appeared in the Daily Times of the Ist inst., deserves the serious consideration of those interested in educational matters. It is only too true that tho matrons of the district schools in Dunedin are cruelly overworked. They require to prepare the scholars' work at their own homes, and that involves Bitting up on many occasions to the small hours in the morning. This ia not as it should be. Why are not sewing mistresses appointed to devote their whole time to the industrial department . The matrons would then be better able to do justice to the education of the children. The Dunedin schools are now so largely attended that there would be ample work for a thoroughly trained sewing mistress in each one of them, The powers that be have only to enquire about the working of tho schools to be convinced of this fact, and it is to be hoped that they will loße_ no time in providing a remedy for the crying evil. Considering the number of scholars, the ventilation is anything but good, even in the new schools, as less space is allowed for children in the schools here than jn tbe Government schools at Home, with the same system of compulsory education. The temporary accommodation at tho North Dunedin School ia exceedingly bad. The children are huddled together in what was once the play-shed. The roof ia of corrugated iron, without lining of any kind, so you may imagine what it will be in hot weather, with the stifling heat from the roof in addition to the vitiated atmosphere from the breaths of so many children. Were an awning put up it would not be so bad, and that would cost comparatively little. The Committee might attend to this while the school is in vacation.

The story told by "Ex-Matron" about the late lamented schoolmistress of the Albany street School was a very melancholy but painfully true one, and I hope, with you, that an enquiry will be made, with a view of preventiog such cruel overwork in future.—l am, &c, One op the Public. Dunedin, 3rd January, 1879.