EDUCATION IN THE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16798, 14 March 1918, Page 6

EDUCATION IN THE NORTH.

SCHOOLS OVERCROWDED.

MINISTER TO BE APPROACHED. The need for increased educational facilities in the northern part of the province to meet the growing demands occasioned by the closer settlement of North Auckland lands was mentioned yesterday by several membors of the Auckland Educational Board, who have just returned from a visit to the North. The purpose of the members of the board in taking tho northern tour was primarily to inquire into applications for schools in certain areas and the condition of schools already established. The party, which consisted of Mr. J. D. Mckenzie, chairman of the board, ' Mrs. R. L.' Baume, and Messrs. R. C. Smith, F. W. H. Brinsden, E. C. Pufdie, advisory inspector, and J. Farrell, architect, visited Maungaturoto, Wairoa district, Whangarei, Kawakawa, Ohaeawai, Kaeo, Mangonui and Kaitaia. The members were generally of the opinion that the North was particularly suited for an experiment, on a, largo scale, of the open-air school system, but felt that this could not be undertaken during the war, as such an undertaking would entail a great expenditure of money, They stated that they found that the committees were eager to know whether there was any likelihood of some form of manual and technical instruction being introduced into the country schools. It was pointed out to tho committees that there would bo difficulties in the way of introducing such a system in sparsely-populated areas, but membors agreed that the matter was of great importance, and that some scheme should be devised whereby the benefits of technical education, especially with regard to improving agricultural methods, could be. introduced into the country schools, Discussion upon the question of the overcrowding of schools in the North • took place at the meeting of the board yesterday. Tho chairman, Mr. J. D. Mcftenzie, said that the Education Department did not seem to realise that the population in the North was increasing at a greater rate than the Department was making provision for, and that, in viow of the humid climate, the children required more air space in the schools than was the case in the colder South. He thought .that tho time was not far distant when they would have to insist on the provision of 12 square feet of air space per child. Mrs. R. L. Baume asked if there was not some way in which the assistance of the Health Department could be Bccured in this matter. The speaker referred to the protection enjoyed by adults as to airspace, and ventilation in factories, and even in tho gaols, where similar overcrowding to that allowed in tho schools was not permitted. She thought the children should surely be protected, and suggested that the co-operation of the Health Department he requested to force tho Education Department to bring about the necessary reform.

It was finally decided to send a deputation, consisting of the chairman, the architect and the advisory inspector, to Wellington at an early date to place the position before the Minister,