PHYSICAL TRAINING IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8097, 30 April 1906, Page 3

PHYSICAL TRAINING IN SCHOOLS.

[PRESENT METHODS CONDEMNEDf

The subject of physical training j for State school children is attracting some attention in Christchurch just now. Some weeks ago. a deputation from the Physical Culture Society visited a number of the schools to investigate the methods of physical ' training in use, ami subsequently published a long report—ftlso sent to the Education Board—in which they sweepingly condemned the system in force in most of the schools. They declared m effect that the exercises provided by the syllabus uru unsuitable, that they are improperly taught by teachers "who "have not tlic faintest idea yhy they order certain movements, many of which arc perfectly wrong," that from «. physiological point of view the club and wand exercises are "usually valueless" and '• sometimes harmful," that the doing of the exercises to music detracts from will training, and very considerably " diminishes their educational value," and finally that physical education, as carried on in nearly all the schools • visited, is a farce. Though the value ■ of the breathing exercise cannot be

over-estimated, tit deputation found] that, with the exception ot ont or two schools,'this important exercise, if net | omitted altogether, was not by any means rwwiying the consideration that it deserved, in the breathing exer: cises done in many of Hie schools, the breath was held too long, sometimes until the children were absolutely purple in Ike face, and the veins in the ueck and temple had swelled considerably. There was absolutely no attempt lo difcrsntiatc between children

o£ different degrees of strength and physical fitness, and the physiological effects of the exercises were nullified by the incorrect attitudes taken by the children. The- deputation offered Ihc following suggestions :—(1) That a competent expert of physic.il training be appointed las itn inspector of physical training of Slate school children in New Zealsud ; (21 that nil *cl)ool teachers receive definite and regular lusli'iietiou in physical training; (3) that wlierctei- ])os--siblu a system of taking the physical measurements and weights o' Hi • children at regular intcrvijis he instituted ; (•1) that periodical medical examination of the seh&lars he arranged; (5) that proper seating accommodation he provided for ilv cliildron, viz., adjustable jJuhl desks, in ovdor to iniuiniise the ••4: of spinal trouble in later Jiie ; («) '' '• Hi luiuuie-s' breathing excreibc-n he . Nily ju every school to all the 8"' 1 ' 1 } *"' _ <iii',s, combined with proper scholars . mK tQ ventilation, vu« lhau outconsump on J nny otlu-r liioxn. ' ff h d , con hi possibly be iiuop. l " > "'. . scliookooinsleventilato^n-u a manner as to allow at least •«>» «' fresh air to enter the room per horn' wr child; (S) that teachers row.- instruction in the matter of hyp "ne dress; (SI) that swimming be m.'i.le compulsory in all schools; (10) that periodical examination of the children's teeth be made by properly qualified dentists'; (11) that the schoolrooms l)f lighted m such a way tint the children's eyesight ' is not delelerioiisly alfected by their ! | continually working in their own light. The matter came, before the lvlucaL tion Board and is now in the hands oi a special committee to consider and re ! port.