MASTERS' RISKS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 129, 27 November 1940, Page 5

MASTERS' RISKS

SWIMMING LESSONS

"FEELING OF UNEASINESS"

"Members of the staff have a feeling of uneasiness regarding their liability in the event of accident occurring to pupils or themselves while supervising school activities, or when engaged in school duties," said Mr. W. A. Armour, principal of Wellington College, in his reporf; received at yesterday's meeting of the Wellington College Board of Governors. "The matter has become a little acute as regards supervision, of the baths," said Mr. Armour, who stated that he had not succeeded in obtaining the services of a master for that duty, which he was at present carrying out himself, as far as time and opportunity would allow.

"The position as regards insurance needs to be investigated by the board," he stated. "In the event, of an accident a teacher mighU easily be deemed guilty of negligence in the legal sense by ,a jury, when there might not be actual negligence. Masters would like to feel that there is ample protection, for them. It is understandable that they are unwilling to take a responsibility in connection with the swimming baths if a claim may be1 made against them which cannot be met by an adequate insurance cover. Some boards have their staffs well covered by insurance policies. I believe our board does have a cover for the staffs of the schools under its control, but we are unaware of its nature, what it embraces, the extent of the cover, and what will be the position of a master in the event of a verdict of technical neglect being given."

After a short discussion it was decided that the chairman (Mr. t. McKenzie) • and the secretary should discuss the matter with insurance experts