SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION IN WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 July 1949, Page 6

SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION IN WANGANUI

Efforts Of The Board To Provide For Future

“In view of the house building activity in Gonviile and Wanganui East the board has decided to approach the Government for permission to purchase two new school sites to provide for the expected increase in population in thes e two distrets,” says a statement issued to the “Chronicle" by the Wanganui Education Board, after it had discussed the report ol a special sub-committee formed to draw up plans for a Wanganui city school building programme.

The sub-committee consisted of the chairman, Mr. W. B. Tennent, the deputy chairman, Mr. N. Bromiley, and Messrs. W. G. Price, E. R. Hodge and F. C. Jannings. "At the same time the Government is to be recomended to purchase a site for an additional post-primary school to cater for the expected increase in rolls of post-primary schools during the next 14 years,” adds the report.

“The board also decided to make provision later for a classroom in the central city area for the establishment of a second special class for backward children.”

“At the present time there is a shortage of classroom accommodation in the city schools at Gonviile (three rooms), Aramoho (two rooms), Wanganui East (two rooms). Plans for new classrooms at the first two schools are under way at present.” “The applications from the Wanganui Intermediate and Keith Street Committees for rebuilding of their schools were deferred until the Building Programme is reviewed in 1951. It was reported that at the beginning of the present year there was a total shortage in the board’s district of 107 classrooms and that by March, 1951, it was hoped to have erected or in process of erection 89 of these rooms as well as five urgently needed residences. Due to the urgent need for additinal classrooms, the board regretted it was unable to agree to favourably consider rebuilding schools at the present time, it was agreed, however, that steps be taken to acquire vacant land adjoining the Intermediate site.”

“The board also decided to purchase additional land to provide for a second Intermediate School situated in the Tawhero district. It was of opinion that the time was rapidly approaching when th e parents of children attending primary schools would no longer countenance their children being deprived of the benefits of education and recognised advantages an intermediate school system. At the same time the board is definite that it cannot consider the reection of a new Intermediate School until the classroom shortage has been overcome.”