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The proclaimed aim of education has always been the development of the mind. Rather than just teach students to read and write, education - from the time it began millennia ago - has sought to plant into the minds of the young, beliefs that would ensure that the students would live good and upright lives. This aim of education has persisted till the present day. One of the objectives of the present-day educational system should be, if it is not already, the training of our youth in the proper use of their leisure time. Along with this, would be the training of character. More important now perhaps than ever, is the manner in which the individual employs his leisure moments.

Herbert Spencer, more than hundred twenty years ago, predicted that efficiency in production methods would inevitably result in a greater amount of leisure time. How true this prophecy was is amply demonstrated by the present conditions. The five-day week, is already a reality in many countries, and with it comes the short working hours; a further blessing in many states. Still there is the high probability that the immediate future will witness a further contraction in working schedules. Teachers are, therefore, faced with the problem of training students, particularly adolescents, in gainful ways of utilizing their excess time.

For long, the function of leisure has, of course, been propagated as recreation and refreshment of spirit and strength after hours of work. However, without proper direction, there is no assurance that leisure will be so used. Indeed, it may not lead to recreation; it may even lead to degeneration. 'The idle mind is the Devil's workshop' is certainly no idle figure of speech. One needs to only to refer to incredible newspaper reports - almost daily - to see that not all spend their leisure wisely. Indeed, there is an urgent need to teach youth to utilize their leisure for training in the improvement of their minds, not only for their own development but for the betterment of all mankind.

With these facts in mind therefore, let us consider the question of training boys and girls in the proper uses of their leisure time beginning in the school-room. As has been established, the adolescent age is the period of active, social interest as well as for the formation of many permanent habits. It would be of great benefit to the teenager and to society if this energy could be directed into meaningful activities. Hence, it seems sensible to cultivate it by club-work, a grouping of classes who would find enthusiasm in like activities. Certainly the study and collection of stamps fits these requirements beautifully. 

The participation in such activities, like all hobby activities, should be voluntary. There must be no compulsion; for we must not pretend to force the growing individual into any particular hobby but rather should permit him or her to freely to make choices of leisure activity. However, like in the case of any hobby, students are apt to more quickly develop an interest in philately if it were a school activity, sponsored by some member of the faculty who may act in the capacity of advisor or counselor.

The advantages of following the fascinating hobby of philately are many and obvious. Once started, the interest created is likely to be carried on far past the trying age of youth. This has been proven repeatedly by the examples set by many of history's most mature men. There is something wholesome and absorbing in philately as a lifelong hobby. It is no wonder that the people who have been ardent philatelists have included Presidents and Kings. Philately is not just a hobby of 'collecting stamps'. Here are some of the known benefits of this internationally that have bound people from students to state leaders:

· Philatelic clubs of boys and girls would serve to build up wholesome friendships and cultivate good manners.
· The requirement of being meticulous, as philately demands, will develop this quality so that it is used in all aspects of life.
· Indexing of the stamp books and the proper cataloging of his collection will teach the student to be neat and accurate and systematic.
· The hobby would provide a source of wide interests in worthwhile subjects, like, familiarity with the various countries, their cities and national heroes. 
· It would further a desire for travel and to learn more about these countries and those internal conditions which would not appeal to a person not "stamp-minded."
· The study also teaches him thrift and self-denial, for he must save his money to buy his favorite and needed stamps. Happy, indeed, collector who can display a neat and complete stamp album.
· It teaches him to study closely in order to distinguish the genuine from the false.
· It teaches him never to act on face value, as there are many forgeries about - in stamps as in everything else in life.
· The continued practice of philately brings out and develops creative instinct, initiative, keen observation, good reading, love of fair play, unselfishness, imagination, exploration and other excellent traits.
· It often provides a basis for worth-while and life-long friendships which is highly important, for, as Morgan says, "The real test of success is social adjustment."

The hobby has fascinated men and women for ages. It has no age barrier, no sex barrier and no barrier brought about by education or the lack of it. It is just a good, wholesome, hobby in which there seems to be enough depth to provide for a lifetime of study and progress. Philately, the study of stamps, which we are recommending to the youth of today, will provide them with a hobby of absorbing and ever-widening interest and also give them an occupation stimulating to the mind and restful to the body. 

Is this not the very essence of recreation? Can there then be better use for leisure hours? The question now is how do we interest them?