MORE AIR SPACE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16424, 18 January 1919, Page 2

MORE AIR SPACE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WHAT THE EPIDEMIC $ROVED.

The question of the provision of more air spaco in our public schools was considered by the Auckland Board of Education on Wednesday, following on tho reading of an application lor extra floor space or an additional classroom. The figures showed that on a 10 square feet basis per pupil tho Board had no hopo of securing a grant, and tho Hon. (i. J. Garland expressed the opinion that the time had arrived when the Board should most earnestly urge upon the Department the necessity of recognising that- nothing ]ess than a 12 square feet basis woald meet the requirements of primary education. To supplement his argument ho stated that during the recent epidemic not) onlythe Health Department, ObuL tho medical profession, generally viewed with exceeding alarm the crowding of I human beings into all places of assembly, including the public schools. The medical profession, he said, Merc alivo to the fact that air space was a chief essential for tho health and well-being, of our people. He also eitod a few oases where proper precautions had been taken, and where it was now found that, where large air space between dwellings had obtained the epidemic ravages were practically nil. This went- to show, in the lion, gentleman's opinion, that the Department should be urged to make adeqnate provision in order that every child of the Dominion attending the public schools should have adequate air space during its school life. The Board decided as the Department had indicated that the question should be considered at the close of tho war, that the letter be received, and +hat the matter would como up for consuleration later.