PHYSICAL INSTRUCTION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18450, 28 April 1928, Page 12

PHYSICAL INSTRUCTION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

To the Editor. Sir, —In your “ Notes of the Day ” in last night’s issue you criticise the physical training as carried out in the primary* schools. On behalf of the Headmasters’ 1 Association we wish to protest strongly against the slur cast therein on instructors and teachers.

If you or any member of y*our staff will accept an invitation to visit Shirley or any other city school at drill time we venture to say r that you will admit that the teachers do not give instruction in a mechanical wa>\ that the exercises given not only assist allround physical .development, but also tend to correct defects, and that physical drill is taken not once a week as stated, but daily for a period of not less than fifteen minutes. We do not claim that our system is perfect, but we assert that it is very valuable in tending to promote allround physical development, and that the work is carried out regularly in an interesting way by a large body of enthusiastic teachers. In conclusion may we ask whether the display given before the Duke of York disclosed the fact that our primary school system of physical training is as defective as you appear to think it is.—We are, etc., W. BALCII, President, Headmasters’ Association, L. K. BRADSTOCK, Hon. Secretary.

(The poor bearing of the Cadets was the subject of frequent comment at the parade.i Any system of training that turns out boy's like this must be defective. The invitation, however, will be gladly accepted.-—Ed, “ Star.”