MILLIONS FOR SCHOOLS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 9, 24 March 1947, Page 4

MILLIONS FOR SCHOOLS

BRITAIN’S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Further aspects of Britain’s progress campaign for complete postwar reconstruction of her educational system are reflected in a memorandum just issued by the Ministry of Education covering this year’s estimates. These mark the start of a long-term programme designed to make British educational facilities the best in the world. The money allocated for building new schools alone runs into ten figures. The estimates total just over £136,000,000 which represents an increase of £22,000,000 over the current vote. The amount of grants for local authorities has been raised •by nearly £17,000,000, the other main item being an additional £3,000,000 for scholarships and maintenance allowances. These will now cost £11,000,000 a year. This latter increase is for the purpose of giving State scholars school maintenance allowances together with free board and lodgings at universities. All those whose family income does not exceed £6OO a year are eligible for. these grants in full, while students with parents earning up to £ISOO a year may apply for smaller allowances on a sliding scale according to the amount of the family income. State scholarships are awarded each year by the Minister of Education to students from secondary schools which enable them to work for honours degrees at one. of the universities. The number of these is to be increased during this year. If in addition the scholar needs assistance in following his course of studies, the Minister makes grants towards his fees and living costs. Also up to £25 in any one year may be added to the scholarship as a help towards expenses during vacations. Grants to local education authorities include—in addition to the main item for building and repairs —a sum for providing milk and meals for school children. Milk is now given free in all of Britain’s grant-aided primary and secondary schools, while mid-day meals are served for a purely nominal gmount not exceeding a few pence. No child whose family feels that they cannot afford this small charge need go without, however, since in such special cases the charge is waived. It is the Government’s policy that as soon as canteen facilities have developed sufficiently, these meals shall be available for all entirely without cost.