The functions of an institution : the Otekaieke Special School for Boys, 1908-1950

Abstract

Otekaieke Special School for Boys functioned at three distinct levels in the period 1908 to 1950. As an institution for dealing with children seen as problematic it functioned on a wide social level. As a backstop to the classroom it functioned as a significant part of the education system. And as the home of a large number of boys it functioned on an individual level as the setting for their experiences. At each of these levels the school fulfilled different needs and served a wide variety of interests. In the three chapters of this long essay I am going to examine each level in turn, and the interests served and needs fulfilled, or left unfulfilled, at each. [from Introduction, p.5]