SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1918, Page 7

SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT. A special meeting of the Taranaki branch of the Teachers' Institute was held on Saturday for the purpose of considering the proposal of tlio New Zealand Educational Institute to carry on a campaign to impress upon the publie the need for the improvement of school buildings, staffing, and other important matters. Mr. A. V. Sims presided. Mrs. Dowling, who had been a delegate to the recent educational conference, opened the discussion by emphasising the heed f»r improvement along the lines suggested. She urged, .imong other improvements, the provision of a lunch and rest room for teachers, and also better playground accommodation for the children. She said more inspectors were needed to cope properly with the work in their department. At present they scarcely had time to offer any advice to the teachers as to the carrying out of their work, and teachers generally did not see enough of the inspectors- She also urged better medical inspection of the schools, mere technical school buildings, better staffing, so as to reduce the size of some of the classes, and better remuneration for pupil teachers and teachers in training. She moved the following resolution: "That the Taranaki Educatienal Institute urges upon the National Government the necessity for a greatly increased vote for education in 1918 to provide adequate funds for (1) more up-to-date school buildings, both in primary and technical schools, and better play grounds; (2) better remuneration of pupil teachers and trainers; (3) a larger number of inspectors; (4) medical inspection of all schools; (5) free dental treatment of school children; (6) ceuipulsory continuation, classes; (7) additional staffing, so that the maximum class may be 40 children." The motion was seconded by Mr. E. L. Mcllroy, who also stressed the extent to which overcrowding was allowed to take place. Mr. Sims reported on meetings that had been held in Wellington, and the deputation that had waited on the Minister, but the reply had always been: "No money." After some further discussion the motion was carried, and it was resolved to send fopies to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Finance.

All the school committes and local bodies in Taranaki are to be asked to nass similar resolutions.