School attendance: February 1902

There is great room for improvement in the attendance of some of the children – especially of the elder girls; and parents are urged to make some efforts – if necessary, sacrifices – to send their children more regularly.
One half-day’s absence per week does not sound much, but it means over 100 hours in the year; it means – supposing a child is attending school 10 years of its life, the loss of a whole year’s education.
There are unfortunately many parents who keep their children away two half-days in the week, and some even exceed this.
Are such parents endeavouring to give their children the best equipment for the battle of life?
Are they not rather careless of their children’s future, and thinking only of themselves?