CLEANING OF SCHOOLS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28133, 23 November 1956, Page 14

CLEANING OF SCHOOLS

COMMITTEES CAN PAY CHILDREN

GOVERNMENT GRANT SCHEME

“The Press” Special Service . AUCKLAND, November 22.

Provision is made in the revised scheme under which the Government grants money to education boards for distribution to school committees, to pay children for cleaning rooms in the smaller schools. This and other features of the scheme were explained to the quarterly meeting of the Auckland School Committees’ Association by the treasurer of the Auckland board (Mr R. H. Barker). Mr Barker said the new rates included a cleaning grant of £25 for each classroom at one-roomed and two-roomed schools here children did the cleaning. The committee could apply for an increased grant where the cleaning was done by adults. The small schools, said Mr Barker, would not be able to use their cleaning grant for any other purpose, and must account to the board for any sums left over.

Previously the board received a sum based on current assessments for financing the cleaning of single rooms at the smaller schools. This worked out at about £55 for one room and £B5 for two. The sum received was combined with the general administration funds, and. although pooled, resulted in small schools receiving a far higher percentage rate for incidentals, which included cleaning wages, than the larger schools. Mr Barker said it was possible for the schools receiving the grant to make themselves responsible for the cleaning done by the children and accept the money back for the benefit of the school.

The board regretted, he said, that it was not given a grant to help committees which had deficits in their accounts for incidentals. Some had assisted themselves considerably. The board hoped all would try to rectify the position out of their school funds account.. If that could not be achieved, the board would consider every case on its merits. ■'

Asked if the ' grant would be sufficient for committees with a clean slate next year. Mr Barker said It'would.

As there had been a 12| per cent, increase in wages, and the extra grant had been reduced accordingly by rising costs, a delegate ..suggested that the matter should be reconsidered within 12 months instead of two years.