HIGHLY COMMENDED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 65, 18 March 1942, Page 3

HIGHLY COMMENDED

NEW EDUCATION SCHEME MILITARY USE OF SCHOOLS Education Department officials, teachers and pupils associated with the recent emergency education .(•heme in Palmerston North and Feilding. were highly commended by the chairman of the Wanganui Education Board. Mr. E. F. Hemingway, at the monthly meeting yesterday. The scheme provided for the education of children while their schools were in occupation by the military authorities, and was described by Mr. Hemingway as having helped to make history foi the cause of education in New Zealand. The schools have since been vacated by the Army. "The scheme was a gloriously ambitious one and aimed at teaching the children not only a certain amount of their every-day work, but in particular leadership, self-reliance, selfdiscipline’as well as team spirit and co-operation.” Mr. Hemingway added. “Amongst other activities arranged for were the following:—English, physical education, sketching, music, educational pictures, gardening, art crafts, woodwork and cooking, social service and visits to municipal and industrial points of interest .... “It is pleasing to note that the whole-hearted co-operation of all these authorities and the parents was secured, one and all realising that the scheme was being undertaken for the benefit of the children of their respective towns. . . "After having had the privilege of seeing the scheme in full operation. I can only describe it as being one of the most important steps forward in education ever taken in the Dominion. as well as one of the most successful “I saw girls engaged in work that, not only taught them to think of others, but work that would heip them in the years to come. In one case. I saw them engaged in making biscuits for the soldiers overseas. These were packed in sealed tins with a note inside conveying the best wishes of those who made them. In another case. I saw girls busy putting sheets through an ironing machine at the local hospital, while others were at the back of the machine taking off and folding the sheets as they came through. “In both Palmerston North and Feilding. girls and boys were engaged in spinning wool, to be subsequently knitted by the girls into garments fo: men of the mercantile marine and mine-sweepers in the North Sea. In other places in Palmerston North and Feilding girls and boys were busy getting ground in order preparatory to planting it with vegetables for the benefit of the soldiers in camp. In some plots the actual planting was taking place,” Mr. Hemingway 7 stated. “I would recommend that the board place on record its appreciation of the action of the Minister of Education (Hon. H. G. R. Mason) and his officials in inaugurating a scheme that provided for the education of thchildren of Palmerston North and Feildin™ at a time of grave national crisis wh-ii their -hools were in the hands of the military. At the same time I would su ■ 'est that the board, record its appreciation of the assistance rendered bv Messrs. W. G. Black and W. 11. Brown, the Mayor and councillors of Palmerston North and Feilding. various school committees concerned. Ihe School Committees’ Association. those churches who placed their halls at the board’s disposal and of the magnificent work carried out u der difficulties bv the senior inspector Mr. P>. N. T. Blake, Inspector E. Crosbie and F. A Bates, together with that nf Mr. G. N. Boulton (secretary) ami Mr. E. R. Hodge (architect). who did not spare themselves in their efforts to make the scheme a success.” The chairman’s report was adopted i ;embers of the board complimenting him on its comprehensive nature.