Playing Hours the Baitor of the "Nonm-Cunka Dany News"
Sm—t read Byoaxo's letter with Interest and astonishment.
He maintains that because there have been no. supporting loiters (Owe wie sas cowrniaurea 40 TH FuxS
There must of necessity be no sup porters, "This, surely, is a_most peculiar standpoint. Ag a. parent myself, and ne, furthermore, that has discussed this tetter with many others, T should! say that the fact that no. comments ihave been made, means that there is {Unanimous agreement. with the con tents of the original letter.
Byoaxo goes on to state that "none p of the children appear to have suffered phys'~ally on account of the so-called restricted playing periods in favour of home work" Is not. this! again a strange remark? Surely the playing folds are provided to improve the physique of the children, to encourage skill at games, and to add to the enjoyment of school life? If not, what are they for?
Compared with normal schools at home, the times allotted at present, besides being totally inadequate, are arranged at curious hours, Lo. in the middle of their work. In hot weather this is unhygienic, and subjects the children to unnecessary risks of chill.
England it is the universal custom to play games during the summer term from 4 pum. to 6 pam. or 7 pan. /This period, from long experience, has: proved to be the best. Since excelent playing fields are available, why should not the same period be allotted in Shanghai? After working from 350 am, to 12 noon and from 1.50 p.m. to 4 pam, to expect children, as Byoawo appears to do, to settle down to home work from 5 to 7 pam, the best hours of the day, seems scarcely humane, and T may' say, Is hot even the intention of the school authorities.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.