EDUCATION IN OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 23968, 20 August 1941, Page 2

EDUCATION IN OTAGO

MONTHLY MEETING OF BOARD The monthly meeting of the Otago Education Board was held to-day, those present being the chairman (Mr James Wallace), Messrs C. E. Richards, W. R. Brugh, D. C. Cameron, N. Colquhoun, E. Morgan, D. Marshall, and H. A. Brough. ARCHITECT'S WORK APPRECIATED. Mr D. C. Cameron said that appreciation should be expressed to the architect (Mr C. Muir) for the amount of work being done in the schools and the quality of the work. It was decided to convey the board’s appreciation to the' architect and his staff for the splendid work they were doing. SPECIAL CLASS AT GREEN ISLAND. Advice was received that the department had approved of a special class at the Green Island School, it being understood that accommodation would be found in the gymnasium. The architect reported that ,he did not consider the gymnasium a satisfactory building. Even if windows were installed, the room would receive very little direct sunlight, owing to the close of the main school building. He suggested that consideration ibe given to the removal of the portable, rooms at St. Clair. The estimated cost would be approximately £l3O. The architect’s suggestion,was agreed to, and it was decided to approach the department for a grant. TESTS FOR TUBERCULOSIS. The Oamaru North School Committee forwarded a resolution passed at its last meeting: “ That the Health. Department, through the Education Board, be asked to have all school children tested for tuberculosis, thus repairing the damage at its early stage.” • The school medical officer (Dr G. ; Stevenson) said that tests had _ been carried out this year among children, who had been directly exposed to tuberculosis. It was hoped in this way to prevent children from developing tuberculosis. Dr Stevenson said sho thought the question of selecting children to betested should be left to the School Medical Service. She did not think it was feasible to have all school children tested. A great deal of it would be wasted work. ' ■ ' It was moved by Mr D. C. Cameron, seconded by Mr N. Colquhoun, and carried, that the Oamaru North Committee’s resolution be passed on to the Health Department. NEW INFANT DEPARTMENT AT KAIKORAI. A deputation, consisting of Messrs A. Lindsay and N. Ellis, waited on the board in connection with proposals for a new infant department at Kaikorai School. . . Mr Lindsay said that it was felt the present quarters were too congested, and that not sufficient space was given to allow the teachers, to give proper tuition to the children. It was alsosubmitted that more adequate facilities should be made available for the care of tho children. The actual cramping of the infant department was caused by the remodelling of the main school some years ago, one room being lost as a result. Mr Lindsay added that an influx of 20 or 25 children was expected m the infant department in the new term. Mr Ellis supported Mr Lindsay’s remarks, and said that the present building was very old and out of date so far as modern teaching was concerned. Mr Cameron asked whether the Kaikorai Committee had considered whether, the board would be justified in going in for any big expense in view of the possible approach _of an intermediate school for all the hill suburbs. Mr Lindsay said that with 200 or 300 houses being erected on the hill, it was reasonable to expect a further influx of children to the school.The Chairman assured the deputation that the board would do the very best it could in the matter, the architect being instructed to furnish a report.