Letters: Holidays give children important break from learning

Children need holidays to rest their brains, says a reader. Photo / Getty

In response to the article regarding school holiday changes to be proposed in a private member's bill (News, January 29).

Teachers have four weeks leave per year, as does everyone else in New Zealand/Aotearoa.

The extra eight weeks per year was determined to give children a break from learning, which is important.

I calculated once that because teachers don't get paid overtime etc and on average work, I understand, 60-70 hours per week (getting paid for 40) the Government owes teachers six weeks' paid leave on top of what happens now.

In response to loss of learning because of the length of holiday, this would indicate that learning had not happened in the first place and once learnt, learning stays.

Most primary schools allow readersto go home in the holidays for maintaining the reading, plus libraries always run very successful reading programmes and they are free.

Remember:

A) Brains need to be rested both for children and teachers in order to maintain good mental health, and
B) Teachers are parents too and appreciate time with their own children.

Margaret Rowland
Pyes Pa

Where did tablets go?

I note that the cost of laptops/tablets for the parents of school children is beginning to be a burden on low-income parents.

When I was working for the Census early last year, every enumerator was issued with a tablet which we handed back after our assignment.

I wonder what happened to these tablets? Are they gathering dust in some government warehouse?

If so, I really think that these should be given out to needy parents, especially those on a benefit.

Chris Pattison
Pāpāmoa

Government going back to the future

I am old enough, and with a long enough teaching career to remember the existence of Education Boards, School Committees and the introduction of Tomorrow's Schools.

The schools changed from a very heavy ministry dominance to a far more autonomous situation which allowed the management of the school, in conjunction with the Board of Trustees, to determine the direction, area of expenditure and staffing needs, to meet the needs of the pupils within the local community.

But now I see. No fear, the situation as becoming very much "back to the future" with the regional "big brother" having the power to take away that wonderful autonomy.

The first step towards the Central Government controlling something that they know precious little about.

As in other instances in other Governmental portfolios, everything is planned on paper rather than on people.

Anything to get control.

AD Kirby
Papamoa

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