REPLACEMENT OF DUAL DESKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 21 June 1937, Page 10

REPLACEMENT OF DUAL DESKS

TABLES AND CHAIRS TO BE SUBSTITUTED DISCUSSION BY CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD The replacement of the dual desks at present in use in the primary schools by tables and chairs was discussed by members of tlie Canterbury Education Board, when the board was considering the report of the buildings committee (reports the “Press”). A paragraph of this report stated that the committee had decided that no action could be taken witli respect to the application of the Fairview School Committee for the provision of tables and chairs to replace the dual desks at the school. These desks, though of an old pattern, were considered to be sound. An amendment that three large tables and chairs sliouid he provided for the Fail-view School was moved by Mr G. Benstead, chairman of the Waimataitai School Committee, in asking the board to consider the “special circumstances” of this case. Three children at this school were almost six feet in height, said Mr Benstead, and the desks at the school were much too small. He asked the board if it would not be possible to provide two or three tables and chairs for the school. The board was not making any more desks, said Mr Thompson, but was replacing .them by tables and chairs. If the dual desks at the Fail-view School were replaced the board would have to do the same for all other schools. The board would consider the advisability of making a certain number of tables and chairs to meet the pressing need for suitable accommodation for children. It was merely a question of finance—the board was short ol fluids. The cost of these tables and chairs was about 25s each. Speaking in support of the amendment uicnt, Jlr \V. P. Spencer said that lie had been told some years ago that dual desks were the tiling. He did not know that it was the present policy of the board to replace these desks by tables and chairs. The amendment was carried.

A report from the Otago Education Board dealing with school furniture stated that 10,000 pupils in the Otago district were now seated at tables and chairs. The number of pupils using long desks would soon be less than 1000, and the old type dual desks less than 2000. The board had made a. grant of £SOO from its general fund to hasten the replacement of old Lype furniture with individual tables and chairs. School committees had assisted by sharing part of the additional cost of these tables.