TEACHERS AND EPIDEMIC.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18366, 27 April 1925, Page 10

TEACHERS AND EPIDEMIC.

CATCHING UP THE LOST HOURS.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE'S VIEWS. The executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute, in response to an invitation from the Director of Education, has submitted the following points in connexion with the question of overtaking the time lost through the epidemic. quarantine:—

With regard to the lengthening of tho school day by an order cxtouiling to all classes, members of the executive are unanimous that this would be inadvisable in the case of younger children, though there is some difference of opinion regarding standards five anil six. On tho whole, it may be takeit that members consider it would be better to leave it to the teachers to meet their special circumstances in their own way. There will be many pupils who will make lip the lost time easily —there arc others who will need special assistance from the teacher —and there are some who would receive more harm than good from any attempt to force them. It would be better if the teacher were free to give these additional presonal attention, as some are alroadv doing, than that all pupils should be obliged to attend, thereby hindering the special instruction of those most in need. Information has reached the executive that some toachers have already determined on a longer .day for standards five .and six; but in regard to the juniors the best opinion the executive can form is that there should be no general lengthening of the school hours. There arc physical as well as psychological reasons for this, besides the advisability of leaving the teacher's hands free to deal with his own particular circumstances.

If, however, after soilic experience it begins to be evident that some lengthening of the day is advisable, the executive is of opinion that it would bo better to make the change after the August term than bofore it. Many schools arc inefficiently warmed and lighted, and an extension of the school clay during winter is on that account alone to be avoided if possible. This applies particularly to the South Island and the higher parts of the North Island. With regard to the alternative suggestion, the holding of school on Saturday, thero are two objections: First, the inconvenience to parents, and, since attendance would be voluntary, absenco of many pupils; and, secondly, the probable use of Saturday mornings, in some eases at least, for school games. In one district, embracing two or thrco counties, the executive has been informed that it has been decided that the Friday school games shall be discontinued, and either taken on Saturday morning or suspended for a time. It seems to bo the opinion among teachers that tnost of the lost time can be made up by special efforts to meet individual cases. A suggestion has heon made that the occasion affords opportunity for a considerable reduction Of the aritmetic syllabus, say, from a five-hour subject to a three-Jiour one; and that if that were done it would enable most other losses to be made good. On the whole, it seems to the executive that it is the teachers that must be relied upon to do what can be done to meet the emergency, and that their efforts in that direction will not be enhanced, but rather, in many cases, hindered, by the issue of detailed instructions.

Proficiency Examinations. A question which is concerning many parents is the cncl-of-the-year proficiency examinations of candidates for junior free places at the secondary schools. The Institute does not anticipate any difficulty on that score. Tho tendency of inspectors iu recent years has been to consider the recommendations of the headmasters in estimating the fitness of the pupils for higher education, and it is expected that in this connexion every consideration will bo given to the merits of the candidates, having regard to the special circumstances of the present school year.