SINGLE DESKS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 184, 29 April 1908, Page 7

SINGLE DESKS.

* —~ • THE COST OF. INSTALLATION. (BY TELEQRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) »i. ' , ChWstchurch, April 28.~~ . At tho annual meetings of school -committees, several meetings carried resolutions m favour of tho single desk system. At-tho East Ghristchurch moating' the Chairman of tho committee, who is also a member of tho Education Board, said tho Board did not' objecti to tho single desks', but the difficulty was that if tho system were adopted, tho present buildings would require enlarging, and tho teaching staffs strengthening. The cost of installing sing e desks a the North Canterbury district had been worked out as follows: — - £ Thirty-four now rooms, at £310 "• , ••• . 10 540 Twenty-one additions to schools, at. ' £180 each ... ... < ... 3 700 Extra furniture for 34 rooms '475. Romoval of graded floors ...' *"'. 250 Freight, cartage, and charges 150 19,600 singlo desks, at 18s. each ..." 17,640 Total - ... 32,836 Less cost of 500 singlo desks ■' - now in use ... 45Q Total cost of installing singlo. ~ soaring ... ... . ... 32,386 Tho Cha.irma.n added that tho estimated cost of installing the dual seating, instead of the singlo desks, was £18,129 4s. In addition to tho cost or tllo desks, there was the question of staff. Somo of the classes in' tho larger schools nuinhered 70 pupils. It would bo quite impossible for 0110 tcaeher to toko charge of 70 pujjils seated at singlo desks with tho usual aisle spaco in between. '