FREE SECONDARY EDUCATION

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11499, 4 February 1903, Page 4

FREE SECONDARY EDUCATION

The BoaTd of Governors of the Timaru High School have decided to adopt the Government initiations under which pupils are to be provided with free secondary education,. rubject to certain conditions. Up to -yesterday forty applications for free seats had been received. At a meeting of the Committee of the Timaru South School on Monday night it was eaid that only three pupils from that school would hi eligible for free seats at the High .School, owing to the age limit in the regulations making it neeessajy that tlrt pupils must lme passed the Sixth Standard before they were 14 years of nge. At the- meeting of the Timaru Main School Committee, aleo held on Monday night, a long discussion took place regarding this stipulation, which was thought to be an absurd one. as it will debar a gieut many from taking advantage of the free seats. In reply to a question, the Headmaster, Mr J. A. Johnson, said that of 60 pupib* who passed the Sixth Standard last December, only 20 would be eligible to avail themselveK "of the Department's offer, the remaining 50 being over the age limit. It was further saiii that the Department's offer will in no way meet the requirements of those pupilx who desire merely to take secondary education till such time as they can neoifVe a nuituUlo business occupation, ea it would be useless going to the High School for a term of less than two years, and twelve months is the longest term that a great number can afford to devote to secondary subjects.