AIR SPACE IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1922, Page 9

AIR SPACE IN SCHOOLS.

OVERCROWDING ADMITTED. AID OF DEPARTMENT. A. brief statement regarding school buildings was made by the Minister for Education (Hon. C. j. Parr) at Auckland last week. The Minister said there was undoubted overcrowding, and he was doing his best to cure it as speedily as he could get the money to build or to extend present buildings. There was, however, a good deal of exaggeration occasionally. hi order to ascertain the actual facts, he had asked the departmental officers to give him a list of the total number of schools, and from these the number containing less than 10 square feet per pupil. Twelve square feet was what was aimed at in new schools, though 11, and even 1-0 square feet, were found in other countries. In practice, he looked upon IO square feet and under as serious overcrowding, requiring the attention of the department, even in hard times. There were altogether 31 of such schools out of 2457 in the whole of New Zealand. “There arc 31 with less than 10 square feet per pupil, taking the whole of the schools, and calculating on the average attendance.” proceeded the Minister. “We are endeavouring to meet tins problem at present by erecting portable buildings, where the circumstances are suitable, and by hiring halls. Quite a number are in use, and they ease the situation materially.”