“OPEN AIR” SCHOOLS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 13 May 1925, Page 5

“OPEN AIR” SCHOOLS.

THE POSITION AT TEMUKA. Throughout the Dominion great interest is being evinced in tho question of tho establishment of open-air schools, in Tinrnru ono is already in successful operation, and now there is a proposal on foot to erect an open-air classroom in conjunction with the Temuka District High School for the accommodation of the infant classes. In their keenness for the Department to tako immediate action parents are prepared to assist by offering to pay half the cost of such a building. In order that opinions of those interested in the scheme could be obtained, a “Herald” representative waited on several prominent citizens yesterday afternoon.

Tho Deputy-Mayor (Mr W. F. Evans) said the Department had promised a £1 for £1 subsidy to any amount not exceeding £2OO, which meant that, as tho classroom was estimated to cost £4OO, the householders would be required to provide £2OO. He understood, however, that Mr T. Gunnion had been in conversation with the Hon. J. G. Coates, who was supposed to liavo considered a further grant of £IOO, which would make the Department’s grant £3OO. In reply to a question, Mr Evans quid ho was in favour of tho people helping to pay for the classroom, for if the Department paid the whole cost it would mean that it would have to do likewise for schools throughout the Dominion, and would be a further burden on the country’s finances. It w;is true the authorities had erected open-air schools, but only in such places whore new schools were necessary. Mr Evans said it had been suggested that a collecting campaign he organised, until sufficient money for a new infant school was to hand. In liis opinion that would bo a grave mistake, for even tho open-air schools would be greatly improved on in the near future. It was a safer plan to confine themselves to the erection of a single classroom at present. The headmaster of the school (Mr R. Malcolm) was strongly in favour of the open-air system. “There is no question but that the scheme has come to stay,” said Mr Malcolm, who went on to point out tho many advantages it possessed. It was impossible to think of building a new school on those lines, but even if ono class had a year in the open-air clpssroom it would mean improved physical and mental development of the children. “Of course,” said the headmaster, “there are bound to be differences of opinion in tho matter, but when some decision is arrived at the Department c,an bo approached, and suitable plans considered. Tho conditions in the infant room at present were anything but conducive to good health, 50 children being crowded in si room meant to accommodate about 38. If a classroom was being built it should bo constructed to allow for its removal, in tho case of further additions to tho school. . . .. Mr T. Gunnion expressed In nisei f strongly in favour of opon-.oir sc.iools, but held that tho Government should build its own schools. “The Government owns the land on which the schools are built, so therefore it is only a fair proposition tiiat it should build tho schools,” said My Gunnion. Parents should liavo petitioned the Department for the total amount required. By receiving a£l lor L subsidy they wore only getting the usual allowance. If they had applied for £4OO they would stand a good chance of getting _ it. Mr G minion said he had boon in conversation with Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., "’ho had informed him that he hud only asked for a grant of £20(1. . ho mombcTj also, ivas of tho opinion yiafc the Department should lie petitioned to grant, the f 100 with which to bund .the classi'floiu.

“I am wholeheartedly in favour of open-air schools,” said Mr G. W. Armitage (a member of the Canterbury Education Board), ‘‘and so is, I should' think, every other member of tho Board. Wo believe tka± it is the greatest of blessings to have a ‘Mens sana corporc sano.' ” Mr Armitage went on to say that the benefit to the health of the scholars by being taught in the open-air was inestimablo. Just as much care should be taken of the health of the scholars as the Plunket Society gave to the babies of the Dominion. The objections were few in number and really .trivial —in fact, the day of the objector was past. ‘‘l congratulate, very sincerely those school committees who are building classrooms on the open-air principle; but I think it a hardship that they should be called upon to provide onehalf cost. However, if the committees do not generously offer to shoulder half of the burden, one cannot expect a slow-moving Department of Education to stir from its sleep,” said Mr. Armitage. There were the plans of Dr. Phillips, who was to bo highly commended for his interest in the question of open-air schools, and those of the Education Bqard. Naturally, they preferred the plans drawn by their own architects, seeing that the Board was called upon to provide, out of its meagre funds, the mainteniance of tho buildings afterwards. Tho Board, knowing tho real interest most committees took in their schools, would only bo too pleased to bo of assistance. Mr A. E. Smith, chairman of tho School Committee, considered tho openair scheme to bo the best that had yet been evolved. Ho did not think they could expect tho Department to do more than it wanted to. If the authorities were to pay the total, cost in their case it would mean that they would have to do so in other towns. That would he expecting too much, and he did not think for a moment the Department would agree to it. What they certainly should obtain was n£l 10s for £1 subsidy. They were now asking the Department to raiso their contribution by £IOO. lhcro was a chance of that request being acceded to. In the meantime, an organised campaign would be conducted to raise the £dOU, in order that they receive tho subsidy. . , Tho Mayor (Mr G. 33. Cartulight) said that after due consideration Jio had come to the conclusion that such a school was preferable to any othei type, as it permitted a proper distribution of air and sunshine, which was essential to tho health of teachers and pupils alike. Tho construction of tho classrooms in the present school did not permit of this, as the windows were localised at one side of the room, thus allowing no cross ventilation. to ovcrcomo this difficulty the school required to bo reconstructed, and as this could not be done in tho near future, owing to the cost and the many urgent demands made on the Depaztment, an open-air classroom would meet present requirements, and provision lor the reconstruction of the main building could be made when circumstances veio more favourable. Being self-reliami, the parents of Tcmuka wero prepaied to assist in the movement, providing they got substantial support from tho Department, and ho thought that tho Department should subsidise the local effort to the extant of JOs per £1; m fact, he had moved a resolution to that effect at the last meeting of the Committee. He also thought that provided th,at tho school was erected immediately, the parents were only doing the right thing b.v paying * proportion of tho cost. 'I ho Mayor again emphasised tho important hearing that open-air schools had on tho health of children. The foundation of the children's health between iho age of live and seven years reflected on their intelligence and bodily health on reaching maturity, and tlio duty devolved upon the Department .and parents to proyulo healthy surroundings iov tlio children during their tender years