HOT WATER IN SCHOOLS

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31786, 17 September 1968, Page 14

HOT WATER IN SCHOOLS

The Canterbury Education Board will receive a report in the next month or two on long-term proposals to install hot water for hand-washing in schools—but this has nothing to do with the recent outbreak of hepatitis in eastern suburbs of Christchurch.

The assistant secretary (Mr D. Wilson) said the board’s officers had been investigating the idea for some time. About two years ago the South Canterbury School Committees’ Association asked for hot water because Otago board schools over the Waitaki River had it After an outbreak of hepatitis at Temuka about 18 months ago, the board sought a Health Department opinion. This said, in part: “It is much more pleasant for children to

wash in hot water than in cold, and it would seem more likely that they would wash if there were hot water available, particularly in winter. “However, I would have some doubts as to whether there was much difference between washing hands properly in hot as opposed to cold water as far as the general spread of disease was concerned.” Mr Wilson said that the board was concerned that any outbreak of disease was often blamed on its schools. Childdren were taught personal hygiene, facilities were up to school-code standards, and the source of disease was often found elsewhere. However, in line with its desire for continual improvement, the board some months ago asked for “another look at hot water.” Mr Wilson emphasised that such a scheme would depend on finance, it would have to be gradual, and thermostats would be needed to prevent children being scalded.