EFFECT OF RAIDS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 29, 16 March 1942, Page 6

EFFECT OF RAIDS

CHILDREN'S EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE IN BRITAIN

The effect on British children's sclioohvork of air raids, alerts, evacuation, loss of skilled teachers and other war handicaps, is discussed in a recent issue of a journal published for the Association of Assistant Masters in Secondary Schools. "It will be appreciated," it says, "that the work of assessing the results this year (1941) was approached with sympathy not unmixed with anxiety, but, as the record of the pupil's work was unfolded, admiration and contidency grew.

"In the bombed towns and cities, staff and pupils have managed to maintain a high standard of work, and have overcome their general and personal difficulties. This mastery of circumstances showed even most brightly where odds were heaviest.' In some instances, alerts were numerous while examinations were being held, but no. effective interruptions were caused, although one school reported that shells were bursting overhead. There were also many instances of disturbed nights. One boy was up all night on Home Guard duties, and was awarded a distinction for his papers next day. The farmhouse where another boy lived was hit, and partially destroyed, but he did not miss any part of the examination. During the autumn, winter and spring, damage of all degrees occurred in schools in some areas, but it had to be very severe before there was withdrawal to other quarters. Harassing difficulties had also been overcome in reception areas for evacuated children. In some cases the schools, were even able to report that they did not consider they had any special claim to unusual consideration. Often old difficulties were merely exchanged for new, this time in the shape of restriction of space and lack of facilities for practical work, but apparently every-! body carried on unperturbed.