SCHOOLS AND RAIDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1942, Page 6

SCHOOLS AND RAIDS

SAFETY PLANS

DUTY OF TEACHERS

"Practically all schools have been well drilled for months in rapid exit from the buildings and in efficient dispersal to homes," the Minister of Education (Mr. Mason) said today when giving an outline of the precautions being taken for the safety of school children in the event of an enemy raid. Teachers had been informed that whatever their other obligations their first duty in an emergency during school hours was to see that the children under their care were dispersed to their homes.

"The provision of shelters at some schools does not mean a reversal of the policy of rapid dispersal laid down nearly a year ago," Mr. Mason said. "Where adequate warning is given, children will be sent to their homes before a raid begins. From latest expert advice, however, it appears unwise to allow numbers of people on the streets during the actual progress of a raid in the immediate vicinity. In every district ordered dispersal will be carried out in an emergency under the control of the local E.P.S. warden in such a way that children will be exposed to the minimum of risk in the open streets."

The Minister reviewed what had been done since the beginning of last