OVERCROWDED SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1921, Page 6

OVERCROWDED SCHOOL.

CONDITIONS AT FITZROY. AFFECTING HEALTH OF CHILDREN. The Taranaki Education Board received notice at yesterday’s meeting from the Fitzroy School Committee to the effect that owing to an outbreak of scarlet fever they had closed the school four days before the holidays. Though the school had been thoroughly fumigated, they were somewhat concerned about the re-opening, and asked that the board make urgent representations to the department to relieve the position in regard to the overcrowding of the school, to which a great deal of the trouble was attributed.

The board was also in receipt of a letter from the department, stating that the board had applied for .a grant of £212 for making the gymnasium at Fitzroy habitable as a classroom. It was pointed out, however, that when the Minister was in New Plymouth the amount which had been agreed upon for the work was £B9. It was pointed out that the figure quoted by the department (£B9) would only partially line the gymnasium, which is a tin shed, and the board thought that the building should be lined throughout for the better comfort of teachers and children.

The chairman of the board (Mr. P. J. White) said the position in respect to Fitzroy was very serious indeed. In reply to the department he pointed out that when the Minister visited New Plymouth the board had had his assurance that he would do everything possible in fitting up the gymnasium as a class room, and would not be parsimonious in that respect. At any rate the information he had received from the committee was to the effect that even if the gymnasium was turned into a class room no relief would be afforded to the conditions in the infant department. The chairman of the committee had stated that there were seven cases of scarlet fever among the children in that room, and he (the speaker) understood that this was put down to the overcrowding. There were nearer 100 children attending than 45 (which was the number for which accommodation was available on a 12 square feet basis). Therefore, even if the gymnasium was fitted up they would still have to face the position in regard to the infant class. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., said the Fitzroy people had been particularly patient in regard to the request, and on the decision of the board would depend what action would be taken by the householders concerned. He understood that there were certain people (and they were growing in number) who would be prepared to advocate keeping their children away from school unless the accommodation was improved. Of course, the board could not condone this, as the law had to be complied with. They should not agree, however, to the proposal of the department to only partially line the gymnasium.

The board decided that Messrs. Smith and Masters, M.P.’s, wait on the Minister of Education in Wellington next week, and put the board’s views on the question.