FOR THE CHILDREN'S SAKE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 229, 20 June 1908, Page 6

FOR THE CHILDREN'S SAKE.

j- ■ » SCHOOL RECESS-ROOMS. DISCUSSION BY TEACHERS. A matter which might well engago tho attention of educational authorities in New Zealand is tho provision of adequate indoor accommodation for children during; recess intervals. At present all,schools aro provided with sbellor-sheds, and in bad weather the children are usually, but not always, allowed to remain in their class-rooms. This concession, a mcrciful ono it is true, is not altogether desirable, for hygienic reasons, as Miss ft on-Icy, 31. A,. (Newtown District High School) pointed out at tho' Tenchers' Institute meeting last evening; Miss Rowley' brought up the subject after the principal business (reported elsewhere) had been disposed of; there ought to be, she submitted, a room set apart in every school in which the children could spend, in comfort, the, play or luncheon intervals. Such rooms should bo properly heated, f preferably with hot water pipes, as tho ordinary school grata was inadequato for heating a largo room. There was no reason why such accommodation, especially in modem schools, should not be provided. Factory proprietors were compelled by law to make adequate provision for tho comfort of their employees during tho luuch' hour. Tho present system of allowing children to remain in their respective class-rooms in bad weather was to bo condemned. It was necessary, in the. interests of school hygiene, that these rooms should bo thoroughly aired at intervals, and this could not be done-if tho children wero allowed to remain.

Tho chairman (Mr. Wm. Foster, of Mount Cook Boys' School) said that his particular school was, as they all know, a very old building—he would not harrow " their feelings by describing it—and, of course, no such provision as that, which had been indicated by tho previous speaker existed. The Terrace School was a modern building. Was thero any provision thero? Mr. Erskine (Terrace District High School): No. Miss Craig (South Wellington) said that the South ■ Wellington School.>•• was provided with a large central hall; there were, however, no seats. A hot water, system of heating was installed at tho school; ' Tho Chairman said that tho matter was really one for school committees.- They were the proper people to get up an agitation. Something might bo dono if the committees were to memorialise tho Education Board. Ho agreed that the present condition of affairs ' was deplorable, and asked, drily, -if they could hope-for the same comforts as factory hands. _ - It was agreed to recur-to the subject at a later date.