EARLY CLOSING OF SCHOOLS ON FRIDAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 89, 17 April 1946, Page 4

EARLY CLOSING OF SCHOOLS ON FRIDAY

TEACHER’S APPLICATION

BOARD OBJECTS TO TONE OF A LETTER

Objection to the phraseology with with the head teacher at the Glen Oroua School conveyed the fact that, with the approval of the school committee, he proposed to close the school every Friday at 2 p.m., commencing in the second term, the hour lost to be made up by an extra quarter of an hour being added to the afternoon period on the other four days of the week, was expressed when the Wanganui Education Board was discussing the ramifications of the 40-hour week yesterday. The Saturday closing of shops and businesses has meant inconvenience l to teachers at country schools, and efforts are being made to find some solution to remove this latest hardship. The Education Boards' Association had also discussed this matter, it was reported, and the recommendation finding mast favour was that schools 10 or more miles from town be closed for the last Friday of each month and / that the time be made up the following Saturday. When discussion began at yesterday's board meeting it appeared that the Glen Oroua suggestion would be approved. An extension of school hours in the slightest degree was not favoured by the Director of Education, Dr. Beeby, stated the chairman, Mr. E. F. Hemingway. However, 15 minutes extra each day would hardly be noticeable, the speaker believed. One thing he did object to was the wording of the letter. The suggestion that “neither the department nor the board had done anything to remedy the position that had arisen through Saturday closing of shops and businesses,” was most improper, coming from a school teacher, Mr. Hemingway declared. “My blood is' up at the teadher’s approach,” stated Mr. W. B. Tennent. “We should take a definite stand on this, and until a universal policy has been decided upon take no action in this Glen Oroua case. I move that this matter be deferred for two months. We are not going to let any teacher write in and say what we are going to do,’’ he added. “A general policy to cover the whole board’s district .should be made,” Mr. J W. H. Brown contended.

“Closing at 2 p.m. will suit only the school teacher, and not necessarily the pupils,” said Mr. I. W. Mudford.

“Parents who wont to bring their children into town will want to leave home before 2 o’clock, and so the hour saved will not help them,” he added. “I don’t like the tone of the letter, but his suggestion bears looking into,” Mr. N. Bromily remarked. “It looks as though we will have to face each case on its individual merits,” stated Mr. W. G. Price, who said he would have supported this application if it had been couched In more respectful terms. “Is that closing an hour earlier worth while?” asked Mr. J. C. BattShops would be open on Friday nights to give teachers a chance to do their shopping. “I suggest we take no action until the department has framed a policy,” Mr. E. B. Lothian said, and moved that this be the course taken and that the teacher’s request be held over in the meanwhile.

Closing at 2 p.m. on Friday would be contrary to the regulations, which said schools were to be open for two hours in the morning and two In the afternoon, pointed out the senior in-. spector, Mr. H. G. Johnston. \ The teacher had not meant to insult the board in his letter, the secretary, Mr. G. N. Boulton, stated.