Open-Air Schools Not Recommended

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 373, 6 June 1928, Page 1

Open-Air Schools Not Recommended

ARCHITECTS’ REPORT DEPUTATION OF WOMEN Believing that the disadvantages of open-air schools outweigh the advantages, the Education Board’s architect, Mr. A. B. Miller, is not recommending the changing of the present planning of school buildings. Reporting to the board to-day, Mr. Miller said: “There is an undoubted appeal in this openness and ability to give physical exercise at short notice without interference with other classes. Unfortunately this is counteracted by the following disadvantages: While engaged in class work, the light comes from all directions, causing confused shadows on the pupils’ work, and in certain cases, the sun is actually shining on some of the pupils’ backs. The teacher is continually looking into a glare of light. Both these factors, although perhaps not immediately apparent, must eventually have some effect on the eyesight. There is little space available for free arm drawing and the heating problem in winter time is more acute.

“Each room requires north-east orieptation, and in order to achieve this it becomes an unavoidable necessity to encroach on areas that would otherwise be available for organised free play. Especially is this so where the site is of such a nature that every piece of level land is invaluable. A bleak site is of little use. “In order that a practical test can be given to the open-air type of building, I recommend that a room be erected on a convenient site when the occasion is suitable.” The chairman, Mr. A. Burns, said that the National Council of Women wished to send a deputation to explain open-air schools to the board. “I have heard them and they put forward a strong case,” he said. It was decided to receive the deputation at the next meeting and to hold over consideration of the report.