PROTECTION OF CHILDREN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 188, 12 August 1941, Page 7

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN

IN CASES OF EMERGENCY HEADMASTERS AS E.P.S. WARDENS The best possible protection of children in an emergency has been the subject ’of a thorough investigation and it is expected that the precautionary measures already taken will be supplemented. So far as the schools are concerned a lead in the all-important task of devising plans for the children’s saletj in a crisis has been given by the Director of Education (Dr. C. E. Beeby). and the setting up of Protection of School Children Committees under the Emergency Precautions Scheme has also been of value in getting (he organising of protective measures under tvay. Points made in a memorandum issued by the Education Department indicate certain measures that should be adopted by those directly responsible for th" care of the children in an emergency. They are set out as follows: — Head teachers should be appointed wardens or sub-wardens under the Emergency Precautions Scheme. Emergency drills for speedy ex. from buildings and for the sending of children to their homes should be practised frequently. The efficiency of these arrangements should be freouently checked by the Protection of School Children Committees. First-aid classes for senior pupils should be arranged wherever possible. In lhc larger schools arrangements should be made will) the fire-fighting committee of the E.P.S. for the training of fire-fighting squads drawn from the teachers and senior pupils. It should be understood that in an emergency a committee's main work is the return of children to their homes as soon as possible. The question of digging shelter trenches has also been raised, but it is understood that little, if any. of Ibis particular type of protective work is being done.