HYGIENE IN SCHOOLS.

Shannon News, 29 July 1921, Page 3

HYGIENE IN SCHOOLS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l wish to draw the attention ol parents to a practice that is carried on in aj school in this district of making the young children of both sexes (those in the Primers and Standard I.) clean up rubbish, pieces of bread, fruit skins, e'tc., in the school playgrounds. I think most parents will agree with me that this is not work which should be done by the very young children, and that girls in particular should not be made to'-do this class of work. In my opinion, if this work has to be done by the school children, it is the hoys in the Fifth and Sixth standards who should do it. The boys in these classes should not only he able to do the work better, hut would also be able to take more care themselves in not catching toy disease which may he occasioned by this rubbish. I personally wrote to the Headmaster concerned, stating my opinion on the subject, and at tike same time telling him I would not allow my children (three girls, aged 7, N 8 and 0) to do this work. He did not reply to my letter as any reasonable-minded man would, but called the children into a classroom and ridiculed them in front of the class by carrying in a glass case and telling my children that lie was going to put them in it to keep them from getting any dirt on them. If other teachers were to follow on the line of this teacher, a very poor class of pupil would be turned out from our schools. What we want is broadminded, thinking men and women, and this cannot be if, in* their schooldays*, they are taught to make fun of serious matters. However, I am getting away from dhe main issue. I hope that the people of this district will take action in this matter and ha,ve the practice stopped of the young children doing the scavenging work at the schools.— I am, etc., . PARENT.