SANITATION IN SCHOOLS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27402, 15 July 1954, Page 10

SANITATION IN SCHOOLS

COMMITTEES SEEK STATEMENT The Education Department’s reply to earlier representations by the New Zealand Federation of School Committees on sanitary- provisions in schools, and also a definition of the Health Department’s attitude, will be sought by the Canterbury School Committee’s Association. i The matter was raised again last evening, when it was reported that representatives of 40 schools meeting at Darfield, had recently urged the necessity for septic tanks in country .schools. Mr E. R. Hayman said he was distressed to learn that the Health Department was apparently unwilling or unable to enforce adequate modern lavatory accommodation. The association had previously investigated needs, said the secretary (Mr A. Greenwood). It was found that in Canterbury alone 100 septic tank units with the associated lavatory accommodation were required at an estimated average cost of £l5OO each. Washbasins required exceeded the number now installed. When the Health Department insisted on proper stands for school milk delivery, he could not understand why the provision of better lavatory accommodation was not enforced in country schools, said Mr E. F. Wilde, Septic tanks might not suit all areas, said Mr F. G. Briggs, but chemical closets or other alternatives could be used. “Now the Government has got its loan, it is time to press the matter,” said another delegate. It was decided to ask the Dominion Federation for.the Minister’s reply to the conference remit on this subject and also to ask the Health Department to explain provisions under the regulations.