HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Southland Times, Issue 19257, 22 June 1921, Page 2

HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

To the Editor. Sir, —“Anti-Cram’s” letter about cramming in schools has caused 1 a great deal of discussion. When speaking of primary schools “Anti-Cram” says that some teachers take the children in early, keep them late at night and pile on the home work. This if true is scandalous. All High School teachers know that the sweated primary’ child does not do the best secondary work. The authorities must be to blame for the alleged long hours and excessive home work, but surely our education system does not demand that teachers sacrifice the health of children for examination purposes. Do not teachers work to a timetable approved by the authorities? If so, the authorities should see that the recognised period is not exceeded. Whatever the reason for the alleged extra work it should in the interests of the children’s health be stopped in our primary schools. There will always be grind in a secondary school where young people are training for a profession, so do not let the primary child be fagged and worn out before he enters upon his higher education.—l am, etc., SENSE.