SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.

Southland Times, Issue 16843, 20 September 1911, Page 4

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.

In Christchurch at the present time attention is being given to a question which has frequently exercised those who devote some thought to matters touching the Dominipn’s system of education. By teachers, committees, and Education Boards great importance is attached to regular attendance at school, and,there is no doubt but that irregularity in attendance interferes not only with' the progress of the individual child, but with the smooth working of the school generally. The importance of regular attendance is, therefore, impressed upon parents and children, and regularity is almost invariably acknowledged in some form or other, principally by the issue of certificates setting forth the pupil’s record. The ambition of scholars is excited and a spirit of rivalry among them is encouraged. They are induced to undertake regular attendance for a whole school year as a kind of endurance test, and it is just a question whether children do not sometimes attend school when in the interests of their health they should be at home. At all events several Christchurch doctors have given it as their opinion that attendance at school may he made, a fetish, and that a child who is determined at any cost to go through the school year without missing a school day may do himself serious harm. One Christchurch doctor asserted that it was detrimental to many children to make merit depend on attendance. “Children are brought out in all sorts of weather. They are sent to school when they are in a weak state of health and unfit for work, and really more harm than good is done.” Another 'medical authority said that in consequence of the. exaggerated importance attached to attendance children who were really ill, and whose parents should have kept them at home lying down were sent to school. Of course, the question is surrounded by considerable difficulty, for without a certain degree of regularity in attendance progress in school work cahnot be made. It does appear, however, that the health of the children should be the first consideration, and that both parents and teachers should exercise their judgment in deciding whether a pupil is fit •to take his place in school or not. An attendance certificate or prize which is gained at the expense of health is too dearly won. Parents should not send children to school when they are unfit for work, and if children whose health is not satisfactory are sent to school, teachers should send them home. One of the Christchurch doctors consulted emphasised the necessity for making parents recognise their responsibilities in the matter, and expressed the opinion that the system of giving prizes for attendance has never done any good and should be abolished.