BOLD EXPERIMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24833, 5 February 1942, Page 4

BOLD EXPERIMENT

EDUCATION IN WAR-TIME A NOVEL ALTERNATIVE (P.A.) PALMERSTON N., Feb. 4. A bold and imaginative educational experiment to cater for over 3000 primary school children who are without classrooms as a result of the military occupation of schools in Palmerston North and Feilding was announced to-day by the Minister of Education, Mr H. G. R. Mason. Instead of school buildings, various centres of activity will be used, to which the children will report from time to time. These activities will include music, manual instruction, handwork, physical education,- libraries and reading, gardening and educational pictures. Organised visits will also be made to places of special interest for community service. The activities will include the .making of many articles required by soldiers, artd it is also hoped to supply many articles to the Red Cross. It is desired to begin a system of growing vegetables for some useful public purEmphasis throughout the whole course will be placed on civic responsibility, treated in a practical manner. It has been designed to develop the children in self-reliance and initiative and to give them an appreciation of their responsibility towards the community. It is hoped that the course will be something more than a substitute for ordinary schooling.