TECHNICAL CLASSES.

Southland Times, Issue 17654, 11 February 1916, Page 2

TECHNICAL CLASSES.

To the Editor, Sir, —Attention should be drawn to the absurdity of country children attending technical classes in Invercargill when they might far better attend these classes at centres much nearer their own homes. As an example, take AAMnton. Having made enquiries I find that some twenty to twenty-five children from the AYinton school journey once a week to town from now on till about .Tune, when the classes for country children cease. There are also a good number gathered from the other schools round about, close on 60 in all. Attendance is not optional, and iar *he case of children living away from the railway line who have to catch early trains and get home after dark, cold and tired I think it is high time parents objected. It is against the children’s health, and as ■ regards cost, their lunch has to be paid for and they must be extra well clothed ami booted. At present prices this is no small matter. Then the cost to the country for railage is considerable. AA’ould it not make for efficiency, Sir, if instead of the children journeying to town early and late, the necessary two or three instructors came one day a week to Win ton and held the classes there ? The boys have carpentry and the girls housekeeping. The children would receive instruction under less distracting influences, they would get a longer day in, and would return to their homes in decent and safe time.

Technical education is a splendid thing, but might be conducted on more reasonable lines in such cases as I have mentioned. Say Winton were used as a centre. Free passes for two or three instructors would serve that centre ami a radius of say 10 miles. Little ones two or three miles from the station are in the worst plight. If the Southland Education Board will remedy this matter parents will he obliged.

The next thing reemiring attention will be the choosing of a set of books for school use and sticking to it, so that books done with can be handed down to the younger ones, also the restriction of the number of exercise and note hooks required to reasonable limits.—■ I am, etc., RUSTTCUS. 10th February.