THE SCHOOLS IN HOT WEATHER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1678, 24 February 1917, Page 2

THE SCHOOLS IN HOT WEATHER.

A KFA’KNT CLOSING OK DLL’. Some discussion took place at Wednesday night's meeting of the Wanganui Education Hoard on the Hoard's recent action in closing tin*, town schools at mid-day during the heat wave. The chairman (Mr I’irani) said since the last meeting Mr Sewell had suggested closing (he, town schools at mid-day during the heat wave, and he (the chairman) had readily fallen in with the idea. “1 would have thought the headteachers in the big schools could have been trusted not to close the schools on cool days," continued the chairman. “We have a few conscientious teachers in our schools, but I am surprised 'to Mud there are so few, Hylton street (Feilding) was (dosed right through during (he afternoons, but the District High School only on about four occasions. This school was kept open on the cool days. At Palmerston North 1 believe one teacher wanted to keep his school open, but the others wanted to (dose —it was a good thing for them. 1 believe exactly (he same thing occurred in Wanganui—some of the teachers thought it a good idea to (dose the schools every, day. Mr Fraser; The Foxton school , was (dosed one half-day only. Proceeding, the chairman said teachers might have been expected to exercise a little common sense and discretion. The Board did not want to coop tin l children up in hot weather. He had since given instructions to open the schools. , Mi 1 Joblin considered the instruclions should have been general. He could not see what conditions could prevail at Marlon and Hunterville and not at Taihape. • The chairman said the altitude was higher at Taihape, and (he weallku- cooler. A special request had been made by the Hunterville committee," on account of (he crowded stale of their school. Personally he had agreed, provided the secondary department was carried on. Mr -Joblin :The position should be governed by the temperature. The chairman: The matter would be best left in the hands of (he committees and not with the teachers. Mr Collins pointed out (hat in some of the country schools the children had to walk three or four miles home and then milk cows. 1 hey did not have paths to get into like town children, the chairman said some discretionary power was necessary in summer time, and it would be better if some regulation was framed. Tire" 1 ' Board would not try the experiment again after the experience it had had. Mr Christie said, at Ohakune some of the teachers wanted to know if (he school would lie closed, but the head-teacher (Mr Furrie) decided to keep it open. The Chairman: That is the difference—the teacher! Ihe Chairman's action in arranging for the closing of the schools was approved, and it was intimated that an endeavour would he made to get the regulations referred to in. the discussion framed.