A SHORTER SCHOOL YEAR

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 60, 3 December 1937, Page 6

A SHORTER SCHOOL YEAR

Pupils' Work Wpuld Not be Affected HASTINGS PROPOSAL The suggestion that, in view of the excellent work of the school in a year which had been considerably curtailed, the school year should be reduced by the educational authorities, was made by the chairman of the Hastings West School Committee, ivir. L. J. Mackersey, in an address at the school on Parents' Day yesterday. Mr. Mackersey read to "parents the chief inspector's report on the school work, and stated that it was the best the school had reeeived. To the pupils he said: "I con- ' gratulate you all on the excellent work you have done during this year, despite the interruption caused by the infantile paralysis epidemic. I hope that the Education Department will take notice of-this report, and consider redueing the school year." All schools in Hawke's Bay have reported that, despite the fact that the school year did not begin until much later than usual in 1937, the progress of pupils in all classes has been excellent. In a majority of cases the work for the year has been above the average, and the loss of school time resultant from the epidemic has not 1 had any detrimental effect on the pupils. A similar position was discovered in the former epidemic at the end of ;1924 and the beginning of 1925. In the latter year the school term did not begin until May, but the progress of pupils was' excellent. Another factor which adds weight to the suggestion is that there has, of late years, been a small Teduction in -school hours in Hawke's Bay during the summer months. . Considering that-the»hot weather experienced in the province during February and the beginning of March was not suitable for school work, : the authorities decided that on hot days the school day should be curtailed by detaining the pupils in the morhing for an extfa hour to one o'clock and then allowing them free for the remainder of the day. The plan worked very well and was favoured by teachers, parents, and in particular the children. The f reedom . given • in the hot af ternoons was most peneficial to the health of the pupils, and no loss of effieiency in the school work resulted. Teachers are convinced that, particularly during hot weather, the pupils show more zeal for their work when they know that they are being granted some time off. A suggested manner for putting the plan into operation is in the extension of the fortnight's holiday at the end of the first and second terms to' three weeks or a month eaeh. ■