SCHOOL HOURS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5237, 10 February 1928, Page 2

SCHOOL HOURS.

CONDUCT DURING FEBRUARY.

SHORTENED TIME OBSERVED. A circular, dated February 1, ha?, been received by the Paejroa District High School Committee from the Education Board, Auckland, advising that the board had resolved to leave the question of the school, hours to be observed, during til’s, month to the 'chairmen of committees and headmasters, It is pointed oiut that the discretionary power is to be used only when the day is of abnormal temperature and the conditions such, that work cannot properly be carried on in the school. Ln that connection the circular reminded head teachers that under the department’s regulations a school must be. Open at least 400 half-days each year. It was unuidesjrable that a school should be closed so frequently in February that the regulation must of necessity be broken. .

For the information of the board head teachers were required to furn’sh at the end of the month a reading of the thermometer at 12 upon on the days on' which the school, was closed. In connection generally with the conduct of schools during February, the board suggests that, as far as. possible, the ordinary class '■ instruction be given in the open air; and that during the afternoon when the school is closed, the teachers take advantage of the opportunity to take pupils for exercise in Swimming where facilities exist. In an interview with Mr G. H. Taylor (headmaster) yesterday afternoon, it was learned that the temperature in several of the class-rooms had been from 78 to 80' degreest. Owing to the elevated position of the infants’ wooden class-room the heat is felt particularly, and on each day this week the. children. dismissed for tihe day from’ a quarter of an hPur to three-quarters of an hour earlier.