LURE OF HIGH WAGES

Chronicle (Levin), 15 December 1948, Page 4

LURE OF HIGH WAGES

College Principal Deplores "No school can set its mark on its students unless they remairr for a reasonable' pefibd of time," said the principal of HofoWhehua College N.v A, Byrne, speaking at the annual prize-giving" ceremony yesterday; "Too many of our students leave before the end of their second year aai'd some eVeri before the end of their first . year of tlaining. . "Too many parents ate waiting fof the day, thlir child turns 15 to send him into the world without adequate - training to earn a liviiig. "In 1'947, 23 per cent. oi,, the first year enrolments and .38 per cent. of the second year students left by the ' end of the yea-r. The lure of high wage's in unskilled occupations undoubtedly infiuences many students and thei-r parents, but if times change for the 'worse it is the Students with training for a skilled occupation who will be best' fitfed to face difficult times. It is I to ' be deplored that the shortsighted" policy so often prevails in cases where, under present conditions, necessity cannot genuinely be pleaded. ! "The same causes are hindering our work in vocational guidance, ..added QVfr. Byrne. "In .iMiss Coleman and Mr. Andr-ews - we" have vocational guidance officers well equipped to advise our students on their future occupation and supplied with the fulles't inibrmation on possible careers. Many students, how'ever, leave without ,consulting them, or take a position, often unsuitable, and inform them afterwards. There is no excuse under the vocational guidance isystem for a student leaving withj out obtaining adequate inf orma'tion on his future work, and I j would urge parents to make the I f ullest ' use of the facil-ities offered, and to consult these "officers before allowing a student to -take a position."