PORTABLE SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 288, 31 August 1921, Page 6

PORTABLE SCHOOLS

TEMPORARY RELIEF OF OVERCROWDING MINISTER OUTLINES A NEW SCHEME Tho erection of temporary buildings for the relief of overcrowded schools was foreshadowed by the Minister of Education (Hon. C. J. Parr) aerterday. “I have had before me for the past three or four months ten cases of very overcrowded schools in the cities and boroughs," said tho Minister. "They are the worst caaes existing at the present time. In each case the education board concerned has applied for a new school either on tho existing or a new site. These new schools will run into so much money that Cabinet has been unable to give mo the necessary grants. In eight different large centres where tfiese new schools are necessary, the total cost amounts to .£52,299. These figures, of course, cover erection in brick or concrete.

“I am now considering another idea, which, I hope, will give temporary relief. The departmental architect, Mr. Mair, bjs designed a portable school, mainly for the country districts. It can be built in a few weeks. It is in sectiofis 5 feet square, which will be boltel together. It will not be very beautiful, as it will be erected probably in corrugated Iron, but the portable school will have excellent lighting and ventilation. It will be as hygienic in these respects as the best of our new schools. After all, fresh air and good lighting are the main things. "I intend to ask the Government to give me funds to enable tho education boards to erect about 20 of these portable schools. The idea is to put them up temporarily in the cities and boroughs where there at present is serious overcrowding. I refer to schools with less than 10 square feet per pupil. Tho movable schools vary in size from a email one for the country, estimated to cost about £350, to accommodate from 10 to 26 children/ to a large one with three rooms, which will accommodate 150 to 200 children, and which can be built for about £l5OO. So soon as finance will enable us to put up new schools in brick, the temporary buildings could be taken down again and re-erected in the country. This would only entail a few days of labour. Each school has cross ventilation and excellent lighting, with a corridor and porch, and a stove. "The difference in cost between a new brick school and the portable school is striking. Whereas a sum of £52,299 would be required to put up eight brick schools, which I want, I believe we can give the same accommodation in these temporary portable buildings for £8720. I propose to place the matter before Cabinet. Already we have communicated with the education boards, and most of them are taking the matter up with energy. It may be that in this way we shall effectively tide over our bad time. I have to <ut rny coat according to the cloth of the times.”