BETTER INSURANCE ON SCHOOL ASSETS WANTED

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29057, 20 November 1959, Page 8

BETTER INSURANCE ON SCHOOL ASSETS WANTED

In the belief that anyone who assists a school with private transport or makes gifts for equipment is entitled to know that adequate insurance cover has been made, the Riccarton High School board of governors will make out a case for better provision by the Education Department fend probably make submissions on the same points to the Commission on Education. Expert leadership in the case is available through the chairman. Professor H. R. Gray, who is head of the law department at the University of Canterbury. A long-awaited statement from the Education Department on revised provisions for insurance was received at the meeting and. while the board was gratified that public risk has been extended to cover school, committee, and community use of schools, it is aggrieved that insurance on buildings and equipment will be paid for only up to the value of standard provisions and that travelling insurance will be provided only on journeys for which an expenses grant is approved. “What about pupils conveyed privately to sport?” asked Dr. J. A. Lewis, immediately the circular was read. This had been the sore point with the board. The secretary (Mr P. J. Halligan) said the circular said boards could take passenger risk themselves; but not out of Government funds. Where private cars were used, boards were warned to ensure that the drivers had private, passenger insurance. Cover would, however, be paid

for on journeys for which a grant was approved. “We trade on those who help,” said a member.

The circular also said the insurance to a value higher than that of standard buildings, furniture or equipment would have to be met from non-Government funds. “What 'are non-Government funds?” asked Professor Gray.

“PT.A. funds,” said Mr C. J Comber.

“Seriously,” said Professor Gray, “it is to the advantage of the Education Department and Government that well-wishers should provide a school with extra equipment and assets and it is beyond my comprehension that the State should be unwilling io meet the trifling cost of insurance coVer.” We have a very small unauthorised expenditure grant and insurance ought to be made authorised expenditure. Similarly teachers and others who conveyed pupils to sports matches ought to be covered against accident. Mr Halligan said the board's unauthorised- expenditure grant had recently been increased from £lO to £5O. Maybe that was to meet private insurance cover When the.board agreed to study the circular, before making detailed recommendations. Mr G. G. Turbott (who is the Registrar of the University of Canterbury) moved, and had carried, a motion that the department be asked immediately to make insurance cover on all school assets and risks authorised expenditure. Professor Gray said he also haa reservations on the department’s views about negligence.