The Star. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1907. OVERCROWDED SCHOOLS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8841, 30 January 1907, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1907. OVERCROWDED SCHOOLS.

One effect of the present hot weather has been to direct attention to the 1 question of school accommodation. As > a rule the attendance at the Stato schools is much larger during the eunvt mer than during the winter months^ and the increase is proportionate tfl' tht> fineness of the weather. Under the present conditions it is not surprising that the attendance' at most of the local schools is above the summer average. As a result, ochooLf which are invariably well filled at this time of the year are just now filled to overflowing. In one suburban school, 131 ohildren are occupying a classroom intended for 105, and in an* other, unless a miracle intervenes, eighty-six youngsters will shortly hay* to be huddled into a room built to commodate half that number. These are perhaps extreme cases, but they reflect what is occurring in a lesser degree in other parts of the district. There is a tendency to censure the Education Board for the present congestion, and the Board is not entirely frea from responsibility. But in the twjo cases we have, mentioned it certainly is able to show .that it ia less to blame than the Education Department. Some months ago it represented the state of the schools to the Department, and . it is reasonable to infer tHat, if its representations had been, attended to, the present difficulty would not have arisen. It is understood that the Board has again appealed to the De^ partment, and that " this time it hopes to receive a favourable reply." But while the Board and the 1 Department are discussing the space question and its attendant mathematical problems, j the unfortunate children are suffering. What is required to meet the difficulty is immediate action. Wherever the existing, accommodation is insufficient to supply the children with a reasonable amount of elbow room and breathing space it should be supplemented, at any rate until the hot weather is over. If a more substantial temporary structure ia not available, a tent would be bett«i than nothing. Anything, indeed, if better than the existing state of affair Of course^ the authorities must af« range for permanent additions whe*» ever necessary, but the vital question is how to tide over the next few weeks. If 6teps are not taken, immediately to relieve the oongestioa, parents will certainly have abundant excuse for removing their children from school. The Truancy Act would surely be inoperative in tne face of the Educational authorities' glaring, neglect.^