Social Contact is Important

Te Ao Hou, September 1965, Page 15

Social Contact is Important Teachers should consciously watch for such attitudes and should do what they can to eradicate them. It is especially important to encourage as much social contact as possible between the different races, both in the classroom and in the playground. They should be intermingled during school projects, sports etc., and so far as possible, they should not sit in separate groups in the classroom. The teacher should ensure that all children are treated equally; when some do need more attention than others, this should be done as smoothly and naturally as possible. This is necessary in order to prevent a connection being made—as can frequently happen—between a particular child's weaknesses and his race or colour. Teachers should also impress upon children that basically and collectively all are equal, although individually some may not be up to the standard of the ideal citizen.