The Patumahoe School.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 222, 31 October 1916, Page 1

The Patumahoe School.

TO THE EDITOR.] Sir, —In regard to a medical officer's report on the overcrowded and unhygenic state of the Patuinahoe school, as published in your columns -it seems astonishing that the Education Department persist in refusing to effect additions under circumstancos that show such imperative and immediate necessity. The school is admittedly an old one, having dono service for the past 40 years. The district is a growing and thriving one, and yet the school accommodation is no better than it was 40 years ago. The complaint has been made that assistant teachers will not stop ; and ig it any wonder? To be crowded in a room built for 60 children and accommodating close on 100 does not tend to the comfort of the staff or give any chance of getting good results from the pupils. The writer visited this school just two years ago and saw the conditions under which the teachers were labouring at "that time. The conditions are worse now owing to the increased attendance, and yet all the efforts of the Committee to have some improvements effected have been unavailing. Taking the occasion of the writer's visit as a test, it seems astonishing that an epidemic has been averted, for the " smell " at that time was almost unbearable.

However, the matter has been so persistently brought under the notice of members of the Education Board that the householders are determined to hold the members responsible for any troubles that may arise. The medical report, which the Committee felt it incumbent on them to procure at their own personal expense, condemns the accommodation as being totally inadequate and unsanitary. One wonders what the report would have stated if the doctor's visit had been made on a hot summer's day, as was the writer's. No doubt, and rightly so, there is a policy of caution being adopted as regards new buildings, but this should not be carried to such an extent as to be positively disastrous to the health of the teachers and children. Also there can be no excuse as to the trouble not having proved itself, for looking back over a period of years each one shows an increased attendance, and consequently a more crowded and unsatisfactory state of affairs. It is to be -sincerely hoped that the medical report will have some effect. Failing this, it will be well for the committee to arrange for the householders to attend an Education Foard meeting and demand at least justice for their children.—l am, etc., PARENT,