CLOSING OF SCHOOLS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 31, 6 February 1935, Page 6

CLOSING OF SCHOOLS

WANGANUI BOARD’S ACTION I INSTRUCTIONS FOR FEBRUARY. EXCEPTIONAL HOT WEATHER. The Wanganui Education Boar» issued a circular yesterday to chairmen of committees, head and sole teachers, pointing out that the matter of whether school hours should be shortened on any particular days during the hot weather period could be decided by the chairman of each committee in consultation with the head or sole tea cber. “The Minister’s announcement must not be taken as an indication that schools may close every afternoon,’states the circular. “There will ne doubt be days in every locality when it will not even be necessary to contemplate closing, la other cases schoo< max be conducted in the groundi under the shelter of trees, or perhapi in a nearby park or reserve where adequate shelter exists. In country schools, in particular, where children have a distance to ride or walk it mar be better for the children to remain at school under any existing shade rather than for them to travel home U Ua linnt z.C <1... ’ 1 .1

"The board is prepared to leave th* decision as to closing in the hands of the chairman of the school committee and the head or sole teacher. If ou any day the teacher, having regard to the foregoing remarks, considers that the temperature is such as to render closing essential, he must consult with the chairman of the school committee and obtain his approval to the closing for that afternoon. The school hours for that will be 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and the ro’.l will be marked for the morning only. The afternoon must be shown as a holiday in the attendance register and attendance return for the term. This arrangement is approved until not later than February 28. in districts where facilities ar* available it may be possible to arrange for children to have swimming practice when schools are closed. “The board expects that the chair man and teachers will exercise due deliberation in the matter and that closing will be approved only where the circumstances are exceptional.” Secondary schools will also be permitted to cease opeations in terms of the Minister’s statement and decision will rest with the particular boards of control in each case. In boarding schools like the Wanganui Girls’ College, lessons will be taught out of doors as much as possible, the matter resting entirely with the principal. The Wanganui TechniAl College, wnich caters for a large number of day pupils, has received a telegram from the Minister of Education suggesting that [he school be closed in the afternoons. No doubt the request will be agreed to.