THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Schools inspector claims introduction of British summer 'detrimental' to schoolchildren

The News Letter reported that a meeting of the Coleraine Regional Education Committee had been held the previous Saturday.

During the meeting Dr J A Adams reported on his inspection of the schools in the Garvagh dispensary district and he had stated that he had found the condition of the children in the area “wholly satisfactory”.

But Dr Adams did express the opinion that held felt that the introduction of British Summer Time had been detrimental to country children.

He told how many members of country houses were still adhering to the old times and as a result children were being deprived an extra hour of sleep and rest.

He was of the opinion that there was a need for some sort of alteration could be made in summer school hours which would benefit rural children.

Dr Adam then turned his attention to the provision of providing school children with a midday meal.

In his opinion the matter of providing such meals was one of the most pressing matters that the committee had to address.

A committee member named Mr McMath raised his doubts about how this provision could be provided, he said: “I do not see how the teachers could provide broth for the children, except someone could cater from outside.”

To which another committee member named Mr Wray replied: “There might be difficulties, but difficulties are things to be overcome.”