SCHOOL SAFETY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4536, 13 February 1942, Page 8

SCHOOL SAFETY

DISPERSAL IN EMERGENCY RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION The statement that for the present no protective works will be considered for schools outside defined areas is contained in a circular to committees and headmasters, which will come before the Te Awamutu District High School Committee at its meeting this evening. The letter states that the Education Department has advised the Board that the whole policy of dispersal from public buildings, including schools, in case of emergency is b» ing considered by the Government, and it is anticipated that a public statement will be made within a few days. Certain defined areas in Auckland City have been considered to be more vulnerable to enemy attack than others, and in these cases the Board is in consultation with the Public Works Department with a view to carrying out whatever special protective works are considered necessary. Schools within the areas defined have been notified to this effect. As these areas are dealt with further areas will be considered. The Department has stated that for the present no protective works will be considered for schools outside defined areas. In the meantime, headmasters are being advised to discuss with School Committees and local E.P.S. wardens the question of the dispersal of children to their homes. If the emergency demands such action dispersal to the nearest grassed area or natural cover is advised. It is also suggested that every avenue be explored to facilitate the dispersal of the pupils with a minimum of delay. It is considered undesirable to congregate large numbers of children even in trenches, near a possible target from the air such as a school building would present. In very few cases can trenches be provided except in full view from the air, and trenches without cover are considered undesirable except as a purely temporary expedient.