FREE SECONDARY EDUCATION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11482, 15 January 1903, Page 5

FREE SECONDARY EDUCATION.

DISCUSSION AT THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

A special meeting of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College was held yeserday, to consider the propeaJa of the [Education Department relative to free r-lacea in secondary schools for scholar* if the primary schools who pas* the sixth standard "before reaching fourteen years of Hge. There were present —Mr Arthur E. :-i. Rhodes (chairman), Bishop Giunes, Dean Harper, Rev. Dr. Erwin, Messrs C. i ewis. Ii.H.R., W. H. Montgomery, C. H. Ople, T. W. Adame, J.\. Scott., H J. Berwick, and J. O. L. Soott. An apology from Mr Charks Reid was received. The Chairman explained the nature of ihe business before the meeting, and said the Department's proposal was that & free place was to be given in the High Schools for every £50 of net income. The latter, in their case, amounted to £2800, whioh would mean 56 fiee placed, and this year i>he (Board proposed giving 51 free places. It wae difficult to know what the net income in connection with the High Scihools was, and the question suggested iteeif .t they were to include in their net moomt the interest being paid on build.ngs. If it were included in "the net income he thought the Board should obtain authority to ca*i up some of their securities and pay off the debt on which the intertet was, iHiDg paid. b peaking generally, the Board Wiis giving tUe number of hee plaetss u.iii'o wui* tor in the lorin oi eiiubiimua. AUuiwu's would see from the return* on the table tiiat with regard to the Girls' H.iju School they had in 1902 awarded 12 ii\e place*, ss follows: —Four exhibitions, w.t-.i v. •ujiunj oi one year, auul valued «U ii 16 tav-n; vwA senior entrance scholarsli;ps, two yeais, i>o0; vvro senior entrance sdiQ-aroiups, dm year, £15; two junior entrance soholarsiups, two years, £30; and two iumor entranoe schoiaxelups, one year, £15. ' lhe.se tquaJcci four exhibitions and twelve soholarehips annually, valued *t £240, and the net income from endowment* was £281. The same exhibitions and scholarships were proposed to 'be awarded this year. With regard to the Boy*' High ischool, in 1902 free education we* offered to 41 boys, which, at £10 10s each, equals £430 10b; thi» year it wae proposed to offer free education to 51 boy*, which equals £535 10a. The net income from endowment* is £2862. The Chairman, continuing, said that uhe Department offered £6 for every additional free place required in excen of the number calculated on the net income. In connection with these proposal*, ne had asked the principals of the uir-ls' and Boys' High Schools to submit report* to th* Board, and these were on the table. MISS GIBSON'S REPORT. Mias Gdbeon, principal of the Girl*'. High School, reported that the test for the holder* of these tree places was an extremely easy one, a* the Average age of passing the 6th standard in the city schools wae 13 years 10 months; and in all probability a large proportion of those entering the High School would never rise above t£e middle school, and would simply supplement their primary education with an additional two-yean* course, which would be of value to them, but would not in itself naaee them to our high, standard of attainment in secondary subjects. The numbers in the upper school would not be very materially increased, a* almost ail the children in the primary school* wiho are suited, both intellectually and physically, for eecondary education proper aw enabled to, and do, obtain it free through. bh« present eyetem of scholarships and exhibJUons. The efficiency orHbe school would not be impaired by a large influx of pupils if accommodation and capable teachers .were provided. Through the courtesy of the Chief Inspector, Mr L. B. Wood, Mies Gibson ascertained that in the city and suburban school* there would be 85 girls qualified to have free places at the High School, and she estimated that some three-fifths,of these eligible scholars would take advantage of free secondary education, though, probably, when tie novdty had passed away, the average would fall somewhat. In addition there would be a few more from LytteAton and other places. Judging from the admieekwe in previous yeans, Mia Gibson found that about twenty of these pupils would have probabty come to the High School as paying pupils, so that the probable actual increase might be set down cut about 40 for tibe first year—malting a roll, of 180, and ereobueUy a permanent roll of from 220 to 240. Two additional assistants would be required to teach this increased number; and the probable increase in salaries wouLd be not leas tih&n £260 for tihe first year, with a probable additional £200 the next year, when more assistance would 'be required. The fall working aocommodation of the present building is not more than for 150 paptfs (the present number on the roll being 140), and consequently an additional olaes-room would be necessary. Referring to fees and expenses, Mies Gibson stated that the present cost of maintnnance

iis about £14 per pupil per annum; that would be reduced to £12 with * rail of from 220 to 240; but the Department's capitation of £6 per pupil would not give this latter I amount. In addition the income from fees, ait present £1600, would be reduced by £<{> the feus of pupils wlho would otlrerwiae have been paying pupila. At the present £240 was received from the Board of Education and the Caledonian Society scholarship holders, and bheae scholarships would in aJ. probability be dTssconUnwxi. Mise Gibson estimated that in all only two-durcfo of the sum at present received in fees would, under the proposed'establishment of free plaoee, be received Concluding, the Lady Principal pMnte oat that the position seems very serious, for if free scholars are not admitted, many pupils from the country will go to other High Schools. The desirability of tihe scheme depends, in her opinion, entirely on the financial problems. MR BEVAN-BROWN'B REPORT. mt Bevam-Brown, principal 01 the Boys' High School, reported very fuiiy on the proposal. In general remarks he stated that the education test for free places is too easy, and should be the passing" of the 6th standard under 13 years, or at most 15j years. He believed that there is reasonable opportunity at present for pupil* of primary schools who show an aptitude for genuine secondary education, to obtain it free, and it was open to question whether it is good policy on the part of the Government to Uanpt into secondary education a multitude of pupils who may not be fitted for it. Probably the great majority oi these would not come for secondary education, tm* merely to put in * year or two until they obtained situation. This would tend to tower the status of the school and deteriorate the quality of the education given. He considered that the sound principle for the State or the Board was to give free education in secondary schools to those only who show dSetinct promise for secondary education in the true sense of the term. Secondary education, he bald, does not mean education that follow* on the "primary"; they were not two separate compartments, leading the one into the other, bo that the one ends where the other begins. The primary system m complete in itself, and is rounded off with the 6th standard, and those who wish to advance to secondary education should do co sifter I passing tihe 4ti or sth standards, when they could begin the secondary curriculum j with advantage, as it is- better tfiat they j should start &s young a* possible. If. it were understood that primary schjoki are i/ot an ante-room to secondary schools,! and also that in scientific Germany and in English Grammar Schools boys begin secondary work at niae years of age, the com* plaint heard about overlapping would cease. The Government test, he thought, ehqpld have been the passing of the 6t& standard tnvkr the age of 12 or 12£ year*; at any rate as an optional test - with that of passing the 6th standard. If the Board agrees to the Government's propot*>, and provide for one free place for «?«y. £50 of income, wnsoh would mean itte phot* for 62, or ooe-fowtb of the preseat ntoa-

ber on the Boy»' High School roll, then i> the Oovernmem desire to aend free pupikabove chat number, the Uovernment etoouui pay the full fee. Regarding the financia.. jspeot of the question, Mr Bevan-Bruwu goints out thai it k impossible to estimate accurately how many woiid take advantage of the free places until replie* an. rvosived to circular* sent to the primary schools. Aβ a preliminary guide, be take» tJw 26 candidates who offered tinnnse-ivo tor ute Board's entrance scholarships, and of these 20 would probably come in irodvr the proponed free places in one year, mil &« the tenure of these free place* is two years, the number of free pujnla would be 40 in 1904. This would mean tin addition to the staff of one ful time and one hail-time masters ilte profit and lose for 190. would be aa followe:—Profit: Government k -riint of £6 each for 40 pupils. £240. ixKSs: One full time master, £175; fee if thirteen who would otherwise hare paiti ;«e, £136 10s, and incidental £33; total £344 10s, less £2w, loss £104 10e. In ail probability twice as m*ny would offer for free places, which would mean 40 in the first year and 80 in the second. O these 30 would probably have come as full paying pupils. These*Bo new boye wouil require three new masters, and the proti; and loss account would show a loss to Board of £245. The present building* will only accommodate 270 boys, aboui 65 more than are at present in attendance, and agreeing to the Government's proposals would involve additions to the buildings. Recapitulating, Air BevanBrown stated (1) th* age test of pawuy the 6fch Standard is too easy. (2) After the Board ha* provided for 62 free places it ruis done its share, and the Government should pay th* full fee for any others. (3) lii the event of the Government not agreeing to 1 and 2, and the scheme i» ncep'-ed as it «tande, the Board would bt embarraseed, financially, to the extent of over £ii'oo per annum. (4) The echeme, as it at present stands, would detrimentally affect the school by crippling ite finances. thu« impairing its efficiency, and would introduce a large number of boye . whotw tenure would be short, and some of whom would be unfit for secondary education. It would tend to make the school what ;- called in England a continuation or higher grade primary school, instead of a Rigi« School, thus lowering its status and ei(eotivenest a> an instrument fox real culture in the community. Quality is, aitex all, better than quantity, and it 1* better to be effective and intent* with a smaller ■ number than by being too eager for larger numbers, to lose effectiveness and become superficial and second rate. In a postscript, Mr Bevan-Brown says:— ,7 The present proposals would have the effect of inducing parents who can well afford to pay the fees, and who would otherwise have sent their children to Vβ as full paying pupils, to send their boys to primairy schools, and keep them there till they have passed the 6th Standard, in order to qualify for a free place, thus diminishing our numbers of fdi paying pupils and still further decreasing our income." , STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS. Statements of account* for the year ending December 31et, 1902, of the Boys' end Girls' High School were aleo placed on the table. The accounts of the Girls' High School showed a oredit balance of £235 12s Id, and those of the Boys' High School a credit balance of £101 9s 3d. THE Dj^CUSSION. Th» Chairman, continuing Mβ (remarks, said that th* Registrar had only received the Government's proposal* on December 17th—« few days after the Board's last meeting*-and as it wa* desirable thai th* Board should be in possession of the state of the finances of the two schools, it had been impossible to oaH the present meeting earlier. He thought there f« too little time before the commencement of the next term—February stb—to bring forward any scheme for altering the whole system of the two schools. In the case of the Gdrk' High School it would be impossible to provide the neoeesary additional accommodation. Hβ bad not eaired to be put, in the position of refusing to accept the Department's proposals, and consequently had called a special meeting to ascertain what the members intended doing in the matter, and if they wished the proposals considered by a oommittee. Mr Bevan- ■ Brown was at present away from town, and would not return till Uμ 26th, the date of the Board's next meeting. On receipt of the Government's proposals he bad asked the Registrar to obtain from" the Department copies of them for distribution amongst members, but though Mr Wilson had done ao tin copies hod only arrived that day. Dean Harper asked if the Board dad not com* to a decision at. that meeting if it meant that the introduction of the •Chen* would be postponed till next year. The Chairman said that it would mean postponing it till next term, but it was inadvisable to have a lares influx of pupU» in the middle of the year. Mr J.-' h. Scott moved that .the proposal* be referred to the College and Library, and Finance and Estates Committee* far their joint consideration.

I jijkjop Grime* seconded tin motion. Dr. Erwin pointed out that several High Schoota in other part* of the colony, had decided to receive them nbdan, and here tihey were poeibiy in the position that they ooutd not receive them till next year. • ■ In nrply to Mr J. G. L. Boott, til* Registrar said that, the replies to the oircukm sent .to th* prinwry eeaooli were ! inoompiei«. Mr Opie mored *n •mendment the* th* proposals of the OoTernment be accepted, and said thai the postponement of the matter would be disastrous. They were not justified in throwing cold water on the proposals, wnioh neauy meant another step in the direction of free education from the primary school to the university. He considered the Board should be abreast of the times 4»y. securing for the youth of Canterbury, and especially of Chrietchureh, the opportunity of this free education to which they were now. entitled, Hβ considered thai the additional expense cf £200 or £300 was a mere bagatelle, which could be iuade good by economies in several directions. He took exception ftr the 'emarke of Mr Bevan-Brown regarding the undesirablenees of a certain claet of pupils being admitted, and said tie people of the colony • had decided that any man's child should have nave en opportunity of obtaining education. If they did not accept the present proposal* they would be debarring the people of tins city from free secondarr education—a very ondeernble position for the Board to be in, whicj£wonl-3 create great dissatisfaction amongst the people of the city. The fact that parent* residing in the country, at Bangiora, Amberley, or Darfield, could get free secondary education for their children, whilst those living in the csty could not, owing to the inaction or ,want of sympathy of nhe Board of Governors, would result in an agitation for a District High Sobooi, which would lead to a decrease in the attendance at the Board's High Schook, which would soon be regarded a* data inttkutioiM. Mr T. W. Adams seconded the amendment, pro forma, and **id that ht was not quite in -favour of it,.as the proposals \ oagai, to go before the committees before the Board eaminkfced itself to euch a great! undertaking, , | Mr Opie remarked that tjm» wa» an eswnoe of the contract. Mr Adttoos,- continunjg, said that unless they expressed conn opinion on fche matter at ta*t meetijtg, <and leave the commjitee* to work out a workable- scheme, the whole thing would be lost for ibis year. It was wry desirable that tie Board should undertake iibe work, as ft wt» quite in accordance with public opinion on tiie subject. If the Board did not tdfce advanta-g« of tb« propowle a District High School would be established in Chriftohurcb, and in fiiat event the Government wooid, he wa* trare, divert the funds iHiioh now belonged to the Board to the District High School. They were living ia a democratic ege; and they inigiht as well understand thai a would be better for tfaem to bke tJrie matter completely in hand, end do the best they could. He -wouM IJw to have seen tie parents called ttpon v> corftKbote the ddffereoce between the Oov«rnmeat grant of £6 and the cost of the mainteaanoit ot tit* pupU» w per-

son* who got thing* lor aothing i>»a% valued —«m very 1 ttle. Dmn Harp?.? thought it was absoiuUly Loceaary that the difficult question* involved in Uw scheme should be considered by th* Committees. The matter of finance we* • serious one. They could trk ignore the reports from the principal* of the High. schools, both of whom seemed to look w> anyut.ng but favour on the scheme, and to think tiiat it would involve the subooii ia aiiivo financial dittkuhn* >' Dr. said eh.it v the Board did no* agree to the proposals, their hand* t ould ix iorcvd in the uiauer, as the Government -louid establish a District H.gii fiwiiect, *u< , Uto sohoiars untsriditti; ib« Board* schools would be reduwu. Public opinion wa* in lavour of the movement, and ot» UovemuKiit mad gauged this very we&L . Speak* nig oi Mr couteiition. Ui*» tUe pupm taking the live pLaoce nuuld not lk s««luug pureuy secoudiuy bUucuUuh, h* .va.d Uuit th« Board hud clienged the "Wi aynjem in coim-tction with the Hitftt sciiools in mitkiUjj provision for two form*, utiv , a modern one, wiuUi snowwi that U»f had decided not to cam- on the suiiool on purely secondary imte. As to the contention iLtU. t<hit«« pupiis would li-ad to the deterioration oi the school ixc<iu.M; they would ujvly be in a.uendauu« tot two years, to* asked how many boyrf at present stayed touger than that period? He did not tiunlt that, the Government's eoheme had bean very wisely considered, and some of U»* provisions were not the very best or moafc helpful, but this was a time to do wUa* uua neccesuiy. Mr .Montgomery aaid the question, reaM/ was \vwuur the Board* finauout coul4 stand vie strain that the acceptance of the proposals would involve. He was curtain oi one thing, however, vtt., that they should not rashly go into a eoheme of th* sort without considering way* and mean*. Mr C. Lewie, M.H.R., said the proposato were included in regulation* which appeared in the "Gatett*" on December 11th— a time when th* Qovemment knew the schools ware brodung up, and those engaged in teaching were starting on hoijuaye. v any delay occurred in the matter! he'contended th* Departineot was to bIMM for it. Whilst generally fatouring th* ecbume, he did not think Uμ Board should accept it without very carefal coneideration.

Mr J. G L. Scott took exception to Mr Opie's remark the* Mr Bevan-Brown objected to She admieioo of a caitaio dam of boy*. He (Mr Scott) bad read Mr Bevan-Brown , * report oarefnUy, and found no reference to such an.opinion} what Mr Bevan-Brown referred i>o was oiatat* af mental ability, and be objected to t*J» ohildea of mejugre meat*! power. Mr J. L. Scott took eioeption to Hγ Opie's attitude in wishing it to appear that the other member* of the Board wet* ofposed to the proposals, and that if they-did not accept has amendment they would a*Ul the scheme. He believed all the memtoen of tli£ j>oard were anxious that our daldren should have tihe beet possible education* but the present scheme required careful consideration, and they *hoald aa* rtufe blindly into it. * . The amendment was negatived, *nd ta* motion was agreed to,, and the scheme was refered to the College and Mu*eaa •«* Finance and Estate* Committee*, \