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58
The centre is open for five days each week, from 9.30 a. m. to
3.30 p. m.
The younger children attend daily morning and afternoon,
the senior boys on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 2 to 3.30,
and the senior girls on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons
from 2 to 3.30.
The staff consists of a supervisor, and two assistants.
Class 1. (Low-Grade Children).—The average attendance has
been 1G daily out of 24 on the register. The subjects taught are :
easy hand occupation, drill, sense training, singing, polishing and
easy household work, such as setting a table, sweeping up crumbs,
clearing table, etc. Through co-operation with the Special School
these children get a two-course dinner each day for Is. 6d. weekly,
or 4d. per day.
The Centre provides an assistant to the school cook.
This class also co-operates with the Special School children
when coming to and leaving school. The centre pays for one
guide, the Special School providing three others.
Class II., for lads over 16, is held twice weekly for instruction
in basket weaving, raffia mat making, etc. Several of the boys
in attendance earlier in the year subsequently obtained other employment,
so that only two were in attendance at the end of the
year.
Class III., for girls over 16, is held on three afternoons
weekly. Instruction is given in plain sewing, hemstitching, raffia
mats and basket making, and rug making. Ten girls are in regular
attendance. It is hoped to increase the numbers attending these
classes during the present year.
Good results are being obtained in all three classes, and
notably in Class I., where several imbecile children who could not
talk or co-operate with others six months ago, have made marked
progress in speaking, in balance, and in sharing with others in
work and play. The improvement in deportment and general
discipline in this group has been remarkable, and has been the subject
of enthusiastic comment and approval by the parents.