CONDITION OF COUNTRY SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 69, 21 March 1919, Page 7

CONDITION OF COUNTRY SCHOOLS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—While c-o much interest is being taken in the condition of our town schools,* I would like, to draw the attention of your subscribers to conditions existing in the country, which are not only a disgrace to the Education Department, but also to residents of the districts. The following is a description of a school which I had occasion to visit at the beginning of the year: — Perched on the top of a hill, exposed to ail the winds that blow, unpainted, weather beaten, and dilapidated, stood the remains of an old church, now used for a school. From the roof to the ground on either side were three heavy stays. ovidc*atiy for the purpose of keeping the building in an upright position. From out one end arose a stovepipe, rusted almost out of recognition, and with numerous holea in it, while not one window had its full complement of window panes. This latter point, however, was explained by the fact that none of the windows would open. Perfect ventilation was aided by holes in the walls and roof which could be closed up on occasions by pasting brown paper over. A few had been treated in this way, with the result that the interior resembled a well-pasted target. Cobwebs and dirt were mere items. The floor -was caked with dirt, and the appearance in general led one to believe that a cleaning such as it had not had during the last three years would not be amiss. There was not a tank or butt, with tho result that drinking water had to be carried half-a-mile from the nearest residence. The nearest place where it was possible for the teacher to obtain lodgings was four miles away, necessitating the keeping of a horse, and for burying oneself in this place, and working under these conditions, the magnificent salary of £150 is paid.

Tn closing this description I add that I have been told, on reliable authority, that the last teacher had given instruc- ■ tions to the children not to wait to be told to get out if they felt the school shifting, but to get out. * Trusting t tat this may open up the question of the disgraceful conditions existing in many of our country schools. \1 am, etc., EX TEACHER.