SCHOOL HOURS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1964, 22 January 1914, Page 2

SCHOOL HOURS.

DURIXG.THE SUMMER MONTHS. ".(By 'Telecrash.—rrcßS ■ Association.! 17:-' ■ Audkland, January 21. ■■' .'■' The subject of school hours in the summer mouths occupied the attention of the 'Education ;Board this morning, the matter arising as.a result of a report from tho board in' committee, and tho Chief Inspector. The report in question read asifellows:—"After due consideration of; the matter w'o are of opinion that'probably the; most suitable hours" foiVjiMructiori, for- (jpupi'isrjittending ouVvselwota' during ;-the siiininer months would bo from S a.m. to U a.'m. lor the morning, ; and 12 to 2 p.m. for the..'afternoon session, as this arrangemeiVtwould very largely, if not entirely, exclude the hottest part of the day. From the hours devoted to school work last year'a number of the city schools adopted a plan, f opening at 8.30, but after a IriaPof a few months the hour of opening was changed to 9 o'clock, whinh seems at present to be the most convenient hour for beginning school. There is no doubt, however, that from the child's point'of.view.'and indeed from the teacher's, it would be better to begin school during the summer months earlier than this four, and it is to be lioped'lhat as parents and members of committees become more accustomed, to the idea, of an oarlv opening hour, tho necessary reform will be forthcoming. We are of opinion that the School Committees will be well advised seriously io consider the advisability of so+irnmpinit tho hours during which the- school shall be kept open that the afternoon session shall not extend beyond 2.30 or 3 p.m. (an hour oven earlier than this would be. preferable). Further, that this aj'raneonient, which is,most needed during the warm weather,, might bo apnlied with advantage in some districts during the entire course of tho year." Th'o reportwas adopted, and instructions given to send a copy-to-every School Committee.