REGULAR AND PUNCTUAL SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1603, 26 August 1916, Page 2

REGULAR AND PUNCTUAL SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.

.Ml.', -I. \V. POVXTON, S.M., at the f'iosi* of an interesting scicntilic address to tin* scholars of (lie upper standards at the local Slate school yesledray, urged lumctuality and regular attendance at school. Ho referred to tin* fact (hat each child had only a limited time in which to acquire the educational groundwork laid down in the syllabus, and the opportunities thus afforded to acquire knowledge and learning. The loss of a few minutes each school day when multiplied by the days totalling (he school year, was a very serious loss in 1 lie* child’s scholastic career, Regular and punctual attendance by both pupils and touchers was very desirable. It is hoped that. Mr Poynton’s remarks will have the effect of stimulating a number of children to punctuality. It is a common sight to see children dawdling to school after school hours. The child does not realise that the State is paying for every minute of its attendance and every minute wasted is a loss both to the child and the State. Do the parents realise that the Foxton school is costing the State upwards of £2,000 per year ? If they hud to find this sum direct from their own pockets they would take a keener interest not only in the child’s punctuality, but in its general educa- (

tional welfare. Every parent whose child allends school has fin individinil interest in tlio administration of the school. But parents do not seem to realise tin.-; foot. Anyhow, regular mid panel nal attendance is essential to the educational welfare of tin* child, and for which the State is called upon to pay. The staffing is bused on the average attendance of pupils, and the work of the school may be seriously hampered through the indifference of parenls as to their children’s regular and punctual attendance.