NEEDLES IN SCHOOL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 593, 20 February 1929, Page 11

NEEDLES IN SCHOOL

IMPORTANCE OF SEWING BOARD MEMBERS PERSUADED “Do you think that men should sew on their own buttons?” asked the chairman of the Auckland Education Board this morning- when the suggestion was made that the time devoted to needlework in certain schools should be cut down. Inspectors have raised the question as to whether the two hours of needlework in schools below Grade 111., where only a male teacher is employed, should not be reduced to one hour a week. The department suggested that the minimum time should not be less than 60 hours per annum, and stated that it was not aware that school committees or parents had asked for any reduction. “What do you think about it?” asked the chairman of the board, Mr. A. Burns, of the only woman member, Mrs. N. E. Ferner. Mrs. Ferner said that she was not sure. The Chairman: Well, I will give an answer. I say that the sewing time should not be reduced. It looks as though an attempt is being made to save a few shillings paid to the sewing mistress. Mr. R. Hoe agreed with the chairman that sewing was an important subject. Mrs. Ferner did not wish sewing to interfere with the children’s progress with their lessons. The board decided to approve of the department’s suggestion that the time should not be less than 60 hours per annum.