EDUCATION NEEDS

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 243, 13 October 1919, Page 11

EDUCATION NEEDS

IK THE BACKBIOCKS. OVERCKOWDED AUCKLAND SCHOOLS. (Special to "Star.") , WELLINGTOX, Friday. A strong appeal was made by Mr. Ternon Reed when the Education Esti-1 iiates were going through to-night on sehalf of the educational needs of coun-. $ry districts. He instanced North Auck-1 tand as having been starved in many jarte, and spoke of a number of settlers within his own knowledge who had given : _p their farms and gone Track to town in -rder that their children might enjoy the advantages of ordinary education. J Sir James Allen, in reply, stated that "t was impossible to deal with the whole -robleni of educational needs this year,, <>ut it was intended to next year bring cown a comprehensive measure dealing with the whole problem, including better orovision for schooling in country dis- ! triets. Mr. ilander added an appeal on behalf of grants for school buildings, declaring that some of tho schools in his own district were fit only to be pulled down. It was important that both scholars and teachers should be properly housed. Mr. Jennings said there was a building in his district 24ft by 12ft being used for holding IS or "20 children. He contended that people in outlying districts were being treated with terrible neglect in the matter of educational facilities for their children.

Sir James Allen, who was in charge of the Education Estimates, reminded the House that there was provision made this year for half a million for buildings and sites, and £ 13,000 for maintenance of schools. In making provision for country schools the Department was guided by the Education Boards. Mr. Reed suggested that the Education Department ought to set aside school sites at the same time as the Public Works Department selected sites lor railway stations. Mr. Hanan declared that this system had been followed years ago, but the sites did not always prove successful. AUCKLAND SCHOOLS. '"This is being rectiaed," interjected Sir James Allen, when Mr. C. H. Poole declared that the Auckland city schools were fearfully congested. Mr. Poole expressed satisfaction with the Ministerial answer, but placed before the notice of the House some details ot the congestion, such as was a menace.to the children's health. There was an excess attendance of 53S in one school, with 130 children waiting, while Ponsonby had an excess of 179, Bayfield 202, and Richmond Road 159, while the playing areas were also too small. Mr. Hanan, ex-Minister of Education, said the Education Department had a policy of erecting new schools on fresh sites in Auckland, which would gradually, overcome the difficulty.