EDUCATION MATTERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17942, 22 May 1920, Page 10

EDUCATION MATTERS

. OVERCROWDING IN SCHOOLS,

PROGRAMME OF WORKS OUTLINED.

_V_(Fboh Odb Own Cobbespondent.) ; 1 •' AUCKLAND, May 21. : Tho ■ ertenaivo nature of the programme , df'the'publio school extension works in the Auckland district, -which is now being carried out, or is under consideration, has been explained by the Minister of Education. The Hon. O. J. Parr, in an inter- ■ View,, said that the publio did not realise the extent of the operations in which the Education Board and the department were engaged. He had, he said, made investigations in regard to overcrowding and other defects in most of the centres of the dominion, and had found that the Auokland district, perhaps more than any other, ileeded eirly attention, and Wellington ran .Auckland closely in this respect. Mr Parr remarked that tho proposal now under consideration for the improvement of conditions. at> the Auokland city and suburban schools, but in regard to which no works had yet been put in hand, totalled nearly £120,000, of which- £85,000 was for buildings' and nearly £35,0(X) for sites. There •waa not one case of .overcrowding in the 'Auckland city and suburban sohools that not being provided for in the shape Of the erection of further buildings, or the purchase of sites and the preparation of plans, ' nor hud tho country been ncglected. He was particularly anxious *to cater for tho back-country districts, and he was glad his department had financed the board quite liberally in this respect. A very large sum waa being expended, or ★as about to be expended over 140 districts in ,the Auckland province. ;