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the efficiency of any system of physical exercises, its unfortunate
announcement coincident with the Government's re-armament programme
has aroused deep and understandable suspicion in the
minds of many people, and has done much to hinder the progress
of a commendable piece of social service. Parents who have attended
'open-day' and other recent demonstrations of physical training
given in the schools have noticed the importance attached to
individual training, and have seen that there is no military aspect
behind modern pedagogical physical training. Education is the
guidance of growth, which must take place not only physically
and mentally, but spiritually as well, and we are convinced that
the self-respect engendered by the healthy functioning of a fit body
is a vital factor in sound character formation.
"2. Physical Education in the Schools.
"(a) Standard of Work.—A spirit of enjoyment, with continuous
activity on the part of the children, now pervades the physical
training lessons in the majority of schools. In many cases the
stimulus of vigorous teaching is encouraging the children to strive
for the correct performance and sound technique which render these
lessons so effective in the development of character and will-power.
The staffs of the schools are to be congratulated upon the progress
made, and it is hoped that, with the increasing numbers of teachers
who have taken refresher courses, a similar grasp of the subject
will be apparent in all schools. The stock of physical training
apparatus has been usefully increased, but is not always readily
available, and we should welcome a more liberal use of apparatus,
especially for the playground lessons in Junior and Infants' Schools.
The games lessons are now probably the weakest feature of the work
in most schools, but it is hoped that special games courses for
teachers will help to make this training more definite and purposeful.
"(b) Facilities.—The general adoption of recommendations
made last year regarding the time allotted to physical training has
resulted in an increasing use of the school halls, particularly in
the Senior Schools, where the provision of gymnasia is now a matter
of some urgency, but, unfortunately, on many of the restricted
school sites it also presents many difficulties. We are, therefore,
very gratified to learn of the magnificent building programme being
undertaken by the Committee.
"(c) Playgrounds.—The absence of permanent playground
marking throws unnecessary work on the teachers and children every
time a lesson is taken, and the generous allowance now made for
the marking of playgrounds is much appreciated. A heavy programme
of re-surfacing and reconditioning of playgrounds has been
carried out during the past year, but there is still much to be done
before all playgrounds are in a satisfactory condition. There has
been a welcome improvement in the standard of cleanliness in the
majority of playgrounds.