OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17837, 9 October 1929, Page 7

OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.

ARE THEY ADVISABLE? i AN INTERESTING DEBATE. Open-air schools and their merits . made an ideal subject for debate for members of the Hamilton Workers’ Educational Association Debating Giub last evening. Mr F. Daldy presided. The motion was "that the adoption of open-air schools is in the best interests of the community.” In opening for the affirmative, Miss Osmers said Hie welfare of children was paramount, in the minds of everyone to-day. She referred Lo the overcrowded infectious diseases hospitals and sanaloriums which were filled with young people and children, many of whom had not been reared in healthy surroundings, in a crowded schoolroom of Hie old type one etiild infected with germs might .nfcct the whlc class. in open-air schools a cross-current of air was provided no matter what the weather was like. Oxygen was one of the best exter- j minators of infection. She pointed out i that children spent so long indoors when being educated that they drifted into indoor occupations and the healthy vocations such as farming were disI couraged. Open-air schools, on the other hand, accustomed children to the open air. She contended that concrete results would be available in a •short lime if Hie new system were ( adopted generally. j As leader of the negative, Mr A. ! j Graham held that the present schools ] j were the result of years of invesliga- j | tion and were difficult lo improve upon. | These schools should not he deemed | out of dale for the sake of a few j cranks. Systems of ventilation now in ! vogue were weli-nigh perfect. He ob- j .jected to open-air schools on Hie | grounds that greater organisation | would l)e necessary; playgrounds! would be diminished: and more grounds i would be required as well as larger j buildings. Eminent medical authori- ■ lies were agreeing that the open-airi craze was being abused to the detriment of health. Striving to Shut Out Fresh Air. -Mr It. J. Bceehe, seconding for the affhmativc, emphasised that ever since ! prehistoric times ,man had been striv- j ing to shut out fresh air. No one j j could pretend that modern schools i were adequately ventilated. He point- j i ed out that women were now wearing ! \ Hie minimum amount; of clothing and | men should gradually develop on the : ; same lines and so benefit'their health, i I Thus the gradual adoption of open- j i air schools must be extrernclv benefl- j ciai.

Seconding for the negative, Mr J. 11. Gittos said the open-air school inove'v£l‘s on, T another example of the activities of "social uplifters” who were trying to reform everylning. There would always be "fresh-air /lends” in every community. The argument that it' children were educated in open-air schools they would crave open-air occupations was mere "clap-trap.” Until advanced countries took the matter up New Zealand was not justified in making costly experiments.

A brisk discussion followed, manv members participating, after which the respective leaders replied. The meeting carried the motion, votinglv firstly on the method of presentation and secondly on personal convictions. It was decided to wind up the season with a debate next Tuesday on

"That Sports and Games are occupying Too Prominent a Position in .the life of the Community." The need for a big rally of members and visitors for the linal evening was emphasised.