OPEN-AIR SCHOOL

Evening Star, Issue 23968, 20 August 1941, Page 8

OPEN-AIR SCHOOL

PROPOSALS FOR EXTENSION QUESTION OF RESPONSIBILITY RAISED The question of the remodelling of the Sara Cohen Open Air School came before this morning's meeting of the Otago Education Board, wnen the Sciiool Medical Officer (Dr G. Stevenson) waited on the board in support of the proposal. During the discussion that followed, the chairman (Mr James Wallace) said that lie held that the Health Department was dodging its duty and placing its responsibility on the board. Jt was finally decided to ask the architect to report fully on the matter to the next meeting of the board.

Dr Stevenson, in her opening remarks, referred to the poky quarters at the school. The accommodation was cramped, and the general facilities were inadequate. There wore 20 children in attendance for various health reasons, and they were carrying out special health training in addition to their ordinary educational curriculum. Good work was being done at the Sara Cohen Open Air School, and every year they had been able to send children back to the ordinary schools fit and well. The present buildings and facilities were utilised to the fullest. They were inadequate, cramped, and impossible to expand. There was also no lying-out room for rest periods. A plan for remodelling had been- prepared in 1939, and she asked that it might be carried out. Improvements were needed, and the work might be placed at the top of the urgent list. The chairman (Mr James Wallace) wanted to know what the Health Department was prepared to do. He did not see why it should ask the board what it was prepared to do. It was the Health Department’s job—this was not a school building in the ordinary sense of the word. , Dr Stevenson ’ suggested that the work was just as much the hoard’s job as dealing with facilities for special class children. The Chairman: Our job is to educate the children. I still hold that the Health Department is dodging its duty and placing its responsibility on us. In reply to a question by Mr D. C. Cameron, Dr Stevenson said that she considered the. present site was quite suitable, and it was imperative that they get something done at* once. Mr Wallace said he could see a very great extension of health camps for children, and thought this was a matter which should engage both the Health and Education Departments. The board was quite prepared to educate any child m Otago, but it was not prepared, with funds given by the Education Department, to go ahead with a proposal of this nature. Mr Wallace added that the board would go to the limit to help the Health Department to help itself. The present building was erected by public subscription. Mr N. Colquhoun said that Dr Stevenson had come before the board with certain recommendations, and he thought it was the hoard’s responsibility. The hoard should do what it could to help. Mr Cameron said he thought it was time they tackled the question. The Chairman said he was not opposed to the proposal, but it was his duty to point out that the Health Department was as much concerned in the matter as they were. Mr Cameron moved that the architect be asked to report fully on the matter at the next meeting, Mr Morgan seconding the motion. The secretary (Mr G. W. Carrington) said that this particular job was at present on the board’s urgent list, just like that of any ordinary school. The Education and Health Departments in co-operation would have more power to get a grant. A motion, moved by Mr Colquhoun. and seconded by Mr Cameron, was carried that members should visit the school to-morrow.