SIZE OF CLASSROOMS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 128, 24 February 1938, Page 8

SIZE OF CLASSROOMS

Minister Congratulated By Wellington Board ADDITIONAL FLOOR SPACE . WELCOMED Advice from the Education Department that it had been decided t*o provide additional floor space in new classrooms and that in future the standardclassroom was to be 26ft. by 24ft., was received with gratification at yesterday’s meeting of the Wellington Education Board. The board was asked to submit revised plans and estimates for building proposals which were before the department, making provision for standard classrooms 26ft. by 24ft. Where possible, plans for classrooms for which grants have been approved are be made for the erection of the larger rooms and the department is to be advised of the increased cost. Where work has begun, arrangements are to b emade for the erection of the larger rooms If practicable. Where constructional 'difficulties prevent the erection of 26ft. bj’ 24ft. classrooms —such as in the case of additions to existing classrooms—the same amount of floor space is to be obtained by such readjustments of length and breadth as may be required. Commenting on the department’s letter, Colonel T. W. McDonald said there was no indication of the floor space for each child. The chairman, Mr. W. V. Dyer: They’re hoping to make it 15 square feet for each child instea'd of 12 square feet as at present. Colonel McDonald: Surely it’s more than 12 square feet. Mr. Dyer : In some cases it has been only 10 to 12 square feet. If one thing was needed in the schools, it was increased floor space, said Colonel McDonald, and he hoped every member would support the Minister’s proposal. Referring to the action of the Auckland board in rejecting the suggestion, Colonel McDonald sai'd they all knew of other pressing needs, particularly improvements to teachers’ residences, but why adopt a dog-in-the-manger attitude? He agreed with the remarks made at Auckland, about teachers’ residences, 'but considered the northern board should have agreed to the Minister’s proposal and at the same time urged the case for improvements ■to the residences.

“I do hope the board will seize this golden opportunity,” said Colonel McDonald. “We know what teachers’ residences are like. M/e have 104 residences, including 54 in one ward. I move that the board heartily approves of the Minister’s proposals.” Mr. C. H. Nicholls, who seconded the motion, said it was a step in. the right direction. The board knew of one glaring case in which a room of a certain size had been asked for and the space had been cut down with the result that it was now most awkward for the teacher. Any suggestion that would bring about improvement was most welcome. The authorities were to be congratulated on the reform, an'd it was to be hoped it was the forerunner of others. Messrs. A. C. Blake and G. M. Henderson also supported the motion. Mr. A. Donald referred to the regulation whereby residences of a certain size were provided for schools of a certain size and said that that seemed all wrong, as country teachers in gra'de three schools were just as likely to have large families afi those in grade six schools.

Mr. Dyer said he was very pleased to be chairman of a board which had' such enlightened and progressive views on the matter. He hoped the board would agitate for improvements to teachers’ residences. The board had made such improvements as it possibly could. In fairness to the department, it had to be stated that if did not object to putting on another room to a residence, but in his opinion all residences should have five rooms, including three bedrooms. Colonel McDonald’s motion was carried unanimously.