SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 144, 8 April 1940, Page 4

SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION

Sir, —We have been told repeatedly that public expense must be curtailed while the country is at'war. That is possible to a certain extent but there are things which must be carried on whether the country is at war or not. One of the most important, if not the most important of the social obligations which must be maintained is education and to teach ■children we must have schools. I was very pleased. Sir, to read the sub-leader of Friday, April oth, dealing with the procrastination practised by the Education Department regarding the promised improvement in the accommodation at Whnkatane School. At present bid sheds are in use as class rooms and this constitutes listinct menace to the health of the children. 'Think what it will mean during the winter! Dampness and draughts, and the children with perpetual colds. It is not right. The Auckland Education Board recommended to the Department last year that additions should be mad f ; to the school buildings and through the activity in this direction of Mr Hultquist r IT.P., the plains were approved in Wellington. A statement was made at that time that the facilities would be available at the commencement of the new school year. No excuse or explanation was tendered after the promise had failed to materialise into fact and the year was started ,with the temporary accommodation still in use. The position still obtains. Even if the building of additional rooms was approved now, tenders for the work would still have to be called, and after that, the work would take some time. After it had been found that new rooms had not been added, in accordance with the statement of the Education Department, further representations were made, and the promise of the Department was renewed. The position seems to be hopeless but something will have to be done shortly. As you say in your sub-leader, as citizens and taxpayers avc have a right to expect better treatment for our children but red tape is wound so closely, round the heads of those in authority that thej r are blind to the suffering likely to be caused. Yours etc.„ "FATHER OF TWO.' 1