OVERCROWDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27082, 17 May 1949, Page 9

OVERCROWDED

WEST OTAGO SCHOOLS CONDITIONS AT KELSO NEW BUILDING REQUIRED Daily Times Staff Reporter Graded as one of the worst three schools in Otago so far as building facilities are concerned, the Kelso Primary School is badly in need of replacement. A new school has long been promised, residents say, but nothing is done as the years go by. The present structure is 70 years old, and while sound enough as buildings go, it is totally inadequate for the requirements of the district to-day. Sevdnty-four pupils are crowded into two small rooms, the result being that the children are all but sitting on the teachers’ desks and the arctic stove. Conditions at Kelso are duplicated at Heriot, where outlying schools have been amalgamated. It is said that at the latter place, the stove had to be removed to make room for school desks. In these districts in winter, heat is as essential as books. The two schools are situated in the heart of some of the finest agricultural and pastoral land in the Dominion, and are growing steadily. The time has arrived when the Education Department should give serious consideration to the erection of new school buildings in both Kelso and Heriot. Kelso, as an example, is a twoteacher school at the moment, but on accurate estimates compiled recently, it will require another teacher within the next two terms. Parents are concerned over where the increasing

pupils are to be housed and instructed. At the moment one small room is re-, quired for all the primer classes, while the head teacher takes the bigger percentage of the total roll call, from Standard I to Standard VI, all in one room. Desks are so close together that those nearest the stove are too hot. In spite of these handicaps, however, work appears to go on, the .teachers doing yoeman work under trying conditions. In these circumstances, it is not to be wondered at that of the total roll call of 74, no fewer than 58 had measles in. the. week or two preceding the May vacation. Outside, the facilities are archaiac *nd highly insanitary. The whole area is flat and low-lying, and there is a complete lack of drainage. Septic tanks and accompanying conveniences are an urgent requirement. Obviously the installation of these minimum necessities has been postponed pending the building of a new school. If the children lack the barest minimum of space inside the school build-ing-lower than the minimum it is believed required by ordinary health standards—they make up for it outdoors* In. the field of athletics and swimming, the school excels, thanks to understanding and encouragement on the part of the teachers. Framed and hung proudly within the cramped building is a certificate to say 'that 93 per cent of the children last season could swim—a Dominion school’s record. The, chairman of the local School Committee, Mr C. E. Forsyth, when discussing the problem with the Daily Times representative, expressed some concern over the conditions especially in view of the almost certain increase in the number of - pupils at the school. He said he viewed the whole situation With alarm, but trusted the Government would make an early move in the matter.