SCHOOL CLOSURE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 421, 30 April 1937, Page 5

SCHOOL CLOSURE

MINISTER’S STATEMENT Restriction To Apply Until May 24. Press Association — Copyright. Wellington, April 29. The Minister ot Health end Education, Hon. P. Fraser, stated to-day that Inquiries were being received by he departments concerned with, regard to the date of the re-opening of schools in areas where the closure had been imposed as a precautionary measure against the spread of infan. tile paralysis. He had, therefore, decided to issue a (Statement for the information of the public. "At the present time schools are closed as groups in three areas—the Wellington Education Board iisiriet, north of Cook Strait, in that portion -of the Hawke’s Bay education district north of Nuhaka and including the east coast area, and in a portion of the Auckland education district in the Waikato,” said Mr. Fraser. “Because of the proximity jf the school holidays it has decided •hat the schools in ,hese' areas, primary, post-primary, native and private, shall remain closed until May 24, tlm opening date of the second term. At present the boarding pstablithmenta in th;se areas have bden allowed to retain their boarders' on :he understanding that the moventbrits of these pupils are restricted o' :he -.chool grounds. r- ■ • Bo nding School Pupils. "■Where th® author' i is. concernen so elect th se boardjug -chools can n>w permit th<«e pupils to re urn o their homes, but on the definite, understanding that such pupils will not b allowed to return to school until day-pupils are also permitted to assemble. "In these ■ same areas the medical officers if health will continue .o impose th restrictions now in force—he prohibition of attendance of children under the age of 16 from picture theatr.s, Sunday schools and other gathirings. As part of the period between now and May 24 includes ten days of school holidays the medical officers ot health are being told to exercise their discretion whether these restrictions are lifted partly or wholly be'ore May 24. In addition to schools which have been closed as groups, there are instances where individual schools have been closed on account of the occurrence of casts of infantile paralysis. As regards the re-opening of these schools the education authorities will be guided by the advice of medical officers of health. It i 3 understood that the teachers will remain on duty at the schools until the end of the term. In the three areas mention'd above and in other districts where in the opinion; of the medical of health such action is undesiritile, the education authorities should not arrange as part of the Coronation celebrations gatherings in the school grounds and oth r places, that would involve the assembling of children.”