BACKBLOCKS CHILDREN

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15033, 2 September 1922, Page 5

BACKBLOCKS CHILDREN

EDUCATION BY MAIL j 200 RECEIVING INSTRUCTION. A SATISFACTORY SYSTEM. By Telegraph.—Special to Times. WELLINGT ON, Friday. Over 200 New Zealand children living in isolated districts arc being educated by post through a special branch of the Education Department. Hon C. J. Parr (Minister of Education) said to-day that the children of settlers living 50 miles from schools, of lighthouse keepers and others, were receiving education at the present time. An experienced primary school teacher was in charge of the course, and this lady had about 209 children taking her lessons. Although the system had been in operation for only six months, the results already wore highly successful. The system had revealed a certain amount of illiteracy, added the Minister. There were in the backbloc.ks children of 12 and 14 years who could neither read, .nor write, but the response of ihe children to the lessons was particularly good, and letters that wero reaching the department, from parents were most gratifying. He was assured that the progress of the children who received their education by mail was very, often as rapid as the progress of children who attended ordinary schools.