Evening star., 1924-09-26
DISTRICTS SCHOOL PROBLEM
Inadequate Facilities for Education of Youth Re-
proach to the National Capital.
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

and all permanent equipment in the
schools has reached such a state that
the board would feel derelict in duty
if 1t failed to reveal this situation.
Many of the school buildings do not
have artificial lighting. A recent sur
vey shows that IT would cost $4,000
to install lights in the worst-lighted
schools and only $4,000 can be spared
cut of the school appropriation for
this purpose during the current scho-
lastic year.
r 4 *
Buildings erected in recent years
have been wired for electricity In
most cases fixtures have been pro-
vided for artificial light. 1t has long
been the desire of the school board
to light with electricity all OF the
school buildings which require artificial
lighting. There are many buildings
used for evening school purposes. now
insufficiently lighted with gas. which
school officers contend should be cleo
tr1f1ed. Moreover, there are certain
other schools where artificial lighting
| is necessary on dark days
The necessity for artificial lighting
is greater than ever because of the
part-time instruction now made nee
ssary owing to the lack of satisfac-
tory school accommodations. Under
larly are retained in the school build
ing until 4:30 o'clock in the afternoon
or even later. In the latitude of
Washington artificial light after 3
o'clock during a considerable portion
Of the school year is necessary.
x x
Extension of the permanent equip
ment in the shops of the manual
training schools is another improve
ment which the school board has been
unable to make on account of the in
sufficient appropriations granted by
Congress. The Mckinley and Arm
strong schools provide pupils with
intensive training in the manual arts.
The shops in these two schools are
equipped with machinery necessary
for carrying on such work. Most of
| these machines have been in opera
ton for long period of time. Some
types of machines are now obsolete
and should be replaced by up-to-date
machinery. Other machines are worn
out; they have been frequently re-
paired and have reached such a state
that they are not dependable for
school use.
The school board also has found it
wholly impossible to keep in proper
repair the permanent equipment in
the schools from the comparatively
small contingent fund which is pro-
vided from year to year. AS a result,
there are a number of typewriters
now in use which are practically
wrecked; office training equipment is
virtually in the same condition, and
teachers are without desks and
chairs.
4 + X X
Another result of the insufficient
appropriations is reflected by the an
tiquated furniture now in use in the
schools. Some Of the buildings con-
| tain desks and chairs which were in
stalled when they were built-30. 40
or SO years ago. No general replace
ment of antiquated furniture has
been possible with funds which the
schools have been provided. This
furniture, of course, is entirely out
OF date ana does not conform to the
present STANDARD of seating pupils.
Splinters from the old chairs tore
many pair of trousers and ripped
many a skirt last year. The cases
are on record in the administrative
Offices in the Franklin School.