EDUCATION YEAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 100, 4 September 1942, Page 5

EDUCATION YEAR

DECREASED EXPENDITURE

SITUATION ADEQUATELY MET

According to the annual report submitted by the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. G. 11. Mason,, to Parliament, the total expenditure on education for the year ended March 31 'last was £5,268,994, which was £132,12*9 less than in the previous year. Large numbers of teachers had entered the armed force? under the voluntary system, and as boards made very few appeals on behalf of 'teachers called up for military service there was a definite shortage of teachers during the latter part of 19-11.

By one means or another tlie situation was fairly adequately met, but there was every indication that for the secoini! hall' of 1942 the position would be extremely serious. Much more drastic steps would have to be taken if the education of some children was not to be seriously interfered with. In particular it woukl be necessary to take power to distribute the available teaching strength to the best advantage.

The amount on the Estimates 1 for public school libraries was raised from £5000 to< £15,000. The roll of the public primary schools of the Dominion appears to be practically stationary, having decreased from 190,997 on July 1, to 190,103 a year later. \