"NOT JUSTIFIED"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23939, 14 October 1939, Page 7

"NOT JUSTIFIED"

BUILDING OF INFANT DEPARTMENT'" REQUEST BY MACANDREW ROAD COMMITTEE The request that an infant room should be attached to the new Macan'drew Road Intermediate School has' been refused by the,Minister of Education (Mr P. Fraser), according to advice received by ithe School Committee. Acting on the'advice of, the Otago Education Board, he had ■■;■ decided, : ; Mr : Fraser stated/that " the'expsiditure> of money* .on-the building wouldlhot be justified.'" , < •:*'. The Aboard had considered the committee's request on several occasions arid hacl : , in its finding on the matter, advised! the department as follows: " The board has given careful conlideratibn to this matter and is of the opinion that the expenditure of money on thei .building of an infant school at Macandrew road would'not be justified. This decision is arrived at after a further study of the street map forwarded to the • department in December, .1937. It is evident 'that very few children would have more than half-a mile to walk to.another school. The committee's objection is the usual one, viz., the danger to young children of the increasing motor traffic. In the board's opinion there is no exceptional danger, in this part of. the town;, that is, the children will be no wbrse off than children travelling to school in every city., It is' quite clear that a new infant school is not justified on the score of distance to another school, and should the department decide on a new'building it. would require to be for the reason that the children are placed/under exceptional danger in reaching another school. The board is not prepared to admit that this exceptional danger exists." Members of the School Committee still hold the opinion that an infant department is necessary and that a danger to children through the increasing motor traffic does exist. Despite its strong representations, its request lor an infant room, has, however, been declined and children will •have to walk to the Caversham the St! Clair, or the Forbury Schools infant department.