SCHOOL STRIKE BY PARENTS FOR BETTER BUILDING

Grey River Argus, 20 April 1948, Page 4

SCHOOL STRIKE BY PARENTS FOR BETTER BUILDING

P.A. AUCKLAND, April 19. Parents af pupils of Matakawau school, norch of Waiuku, did not allow their children to attend when- the school re-opened to-day. They itept the children away as a protest against inadequate accommodation. A warning of their intention was given to the Auckland Education Board by district householders early in February. Their decision was reaffirmed at a meeting last week.

The chairman of the School Committee, Mr M. Hatton, said their protest was aga’nst the use of .a single room 16 feet by 20 feet for 31 children. It was considered tills was detrimental to the children’s health and education.

“if money, material and labour can be found to provide the town schools with assembly halls, engineering workshops, and modern facilities, then our country children should not be condemned to these conditions”, said Mr Hatton. He said that the children would be kept at home until definite evidence was given that action would be taken to end the conditions. All classes from Primer 1 to Form 2 are taught at the school, which is a corrugated iron, single-room building. Four more children "in the area wifi come of school age this- year.