OVERCROWDED SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20482, 6 February 1930, Page 9

OVERCROWDED SCHOOL.

THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

RELIEF MEASURES SOUGHT

LARGE INCREASE IN PUPILS,

Proposals for increasing the accommodation at the Sodden Memorial Technical College, whore it has been found necessary to refuse admission to several students, wero discussed at a special meeting of the board of managers yesterday. . ! . :^r v :u •

Tho principal, Mr.; G. J. Park, reported that the increases in the enrolments had been steady since 1922, when tho day school rolls totalled 580. This year the rolls on-the first day of school reached 1123, and about 100 had to be refused. The additional accommodation provided as the result of Government grants in tho period 1921-1930 made room for about 300 students. The arrangements had been such that tho numbers accepted ■ this year were as great as it was possible for the classrooms and laboratories- to accommodate.

Higher Efficiency. In addition to the main college building, threo day classes and ono evening class wore being taught in the' old Grammar. School building, and as the tenancy thero was subject to termination at any time, it would not be wise to accommodate further pupils in that building. The needs for evening classes wero also likely to ; be urgent. Last year almost every room was continuously in use, and it was quite likely that evening students also would havo to bo refused. <■

Tlio report stated that factors in creating the present demand for admission to the col lego were the marked improvement in the quality of the teaching staff, and the. hotter courses of instruction made possible through the larger staff of specialist teachers and. the more up-to-date equipment provided through the better financial position of the board. A further reason was to bo found in the fact that tho training was commending itself strongly to employers. As a result there was a continuous demand for boys ,and girls for employment;

Means ol Relief. The principal suggested that application should be. made to tho Auckland Education Board for the uso of the Wellesley Street School buildings, and that the Education Department should be asked to make a grant for tile purpose of adding a gymnasium to tho roof of f the workshop block and to convert tho pre l sent gymnasium into classrooms. A suggestion was also made that, unless the department was prepared to make the necessary grants for land and special buildings for pupils talcing the agriculture course, notice be {\ven that it was intended to close the classes.

The chairman, Mr. If. S. W. King, said the board had foreseen the present position some years ago) and had previously made representations to the department. It was now necessary to mal<o further representations. He did not favour .turning tho gymnasium into classrooms, as this might, give tho Government .the opportunity to evade its responsibilities.

It was decided to send u telegram to the -Minister of Education requesting immediate .attention to the position in order that'accommodation might bo provided for those pupils who had "been shut out. A special committee was set up to wait upon the Education Board and obtain its assistance, and to take whatever steps it was considered necessary to relieve the position. A representative of the department is to be urged'to be present at the meeting with the board. ;