SCHOOLS’ SWIMMING

Evening Star, Issue 20048, 13 December 1928, Page 3

SCHOOLS’ SWIMMING

EDUCATIONAL OFFICER'S POSITION REPLY TO HEADMASTER'S CRITICISM SLrous: exception was taken at last night's meeting of tho Otago Swimming Centre to the criticism of the Head Masters’ Association of the centre’s educational officer. The centre affirmed its confidence in the way its honorary officer had carried out his duties, and during the discussion it was pointed out that while good results had been achieved last season in country and private schools in swimming for distance certificates, there had been a lack of interest shown by the teachers of city schools in this respect. The Secretary of the Otago i'klucation Hoard wrote stating that, at tho request of tho Dunedin Head Masters’ Association, the hoard forwarded without comment the following resolution passed by that body:—“That the Otago Swimming Association ho informed that tho reason why so low certificates have been earned this year by children in Dunedin schoolr. is not tho lack of swimmers, hut that the educational officer of the _ Swimming Association has not done his job.” “ It is significant,” said tho chairman (Mr d. L. MMndoc), ” that as far as tho attitude of tho Education Hoard is concerned it is careful to say that it forwards the Hoad Masters’ Association’s remarks without comment." Heading between the lines, one would be inclined to think that possibly tho Education Board did not agree with the Head Masters’ Association, said Mr M'fndoo. As it was a matter affecting tho educational officer, who had done very valuable work, lie thought that that officer should be given the opportunity of defending himself so that an adequate ' reply might he sent. Mr M’Jndoo declared that he did not know what tho Head Masters’ Association expected. It was impossible for the educational officer, whoso position was entirely an honorary one, to go round tho schools and personally induce tho children to swim lor certificates.

It was mentioned that in tho educational officer’s annual report dealing with the number of swimming certificates issued to school children during the year reference was made to the excellent results achieved by the country and private schools, but it, was -stated that it seemed apparent that in the city schools, with their greater facilities for practice and tuition at tho baths, tlio desirability of tho children being enabled to prove their proficiency in the, water was not appreciated by teachers as much ns was the case in tho country and private schools. It was Imped that next year would find tho teachers in tlio city schools doing their full share towards the attainment of proficiency by pupils with flic object of placing Dunedin on a. level with other centres of flic dominion. Air AFlndoc said that tlio comment in tho report was of n general nature, and it was difficult to see why it called for such drastic criticism on tho part of the Head Association. Air A. Knights said that as educational officer ho had sent out 293 circulars to the schools last season, and in February of 1927—that was at tlio beginning of the year, when ho had taken up the position—Air E. G. James had also circularised tho schools. Few replies had been received, and evidently the head masters had taken little notice of the circular, which pointed out that the shortest distance for which certificates were issued was 50yds, and not 33 l-3.yds, as had been stated. He thought tho Head Masters’ Association was under tho impression that the educational officer was a paid official who was expected to supervise the swimming for certificates. Ail tlio head masters knew of the conditions attaching to the issue of certificates, but it was a fact that many of them did not bring tho circulars under tho notice of the sports’ masters. It was impossible for him to go round the schools and personally arrange times for tho children to swim for certificates. Tho Chairman: “That is certainly not within tho scope of your duties.” Air Knights said that lie thought tlio present season would he a record one, and the fact that the Head Masters’ Association had taken_ tlm matter up would give schools’ swimming tho best advertisement it ever had. Air E. H. James said that Air Knights had carried out his duties to the letter, but the Head Masters’ Association did not seem to Fcaliso what these duties wore. Air E. C. Isaacs then moved: that the centre write to the Education Board asking it to forward to the Head Masters’ Association the centre’s strong protest to the the resolution, that tlio centre reaffirm Its confidence in the way the educational officer had carried out Ills duties, and that it was apparent the Head Alasters’ Association did not realise tho scope of this honorary officer’s work.” Mr E. 11. Janies seconded Lie motion, which was carried unanimously. AVhilo the figures of the children who had learnt to swim wore not within his scopo as educational officer, Air Knights said that the custodian at tho municipal baths had produced figures to show that of 430 girls who had taken thirteen lessons in swimming this year, 74.4 per cent, had learnt to swim. It was pointed out that if oven half of those who took lessons to swim, tho results would be saustactory, when the size'of the classes one instructor hud to control, and tho fact that only thirteen _ half-hour lessons were given was considered. Air H. H. Henderson said that ic could not be expected that ail clukircn would learn to swim in three months, with only one lesson a week. It was not a fact that the City Council was paid 2s 3d per head for having the children taught to swim. The council was paid on this basis for twenty lessons, and if only ton lessons were taken, Is I'd was paid. Only thirteen lessons wore actually given, but lie could sco no icason why at least eighteen lessons should not ho given, an earlier start heiim made with the swimming classes. Ho moved that a deputation from tlio centre wait upon tlio board to discuss with it tho question of swimming in tho schools. . , • , Air Priest seconded the motion, which was carried.