SCHOOL GRANTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 138, 7 March 1921, Page 9

SCHOOL GRANTS

NEED FOR SCRUTINY LESS MONEY NOW AVAILABLE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, -March S. The effect of the present financial stringency on the comprehensive school building programme that has been launched by the Education Department, was the subject of a statement last evening by the Minister of Education (the Hon. C. J. Parr). The Minister, in reply to a question regarding a curtailment of tho building scheme initiated by him, said: "I am afraid I shall not be able to keep on moving as quiokly es I would like in this direction. I have beep conferring with the various education authorities, with a .view of readjusting the programme for the coming 'biennial period. Grants lor new school buildings will have to be most carefully considered; indeed, already it is only in cases of pressing urgency that the Department is able to undertake the erection of new buildings. e have done excellently during the past year. The expenditure and commitments for new schools and additions to schools during this psriod have exceeded the figures of any previous year by 30 per cent. I fear, however, that I shall now have to cut my coat according to the cloth of somewhat stringent times. The Minister of Finance has been very liberal during the past year in regard to education grants, but curtailment of expenditure is now’ imperative.” Speaking of- what had been accomplished in the country districts, Mr. Parr remarked: "There can he no question that in respect to the backbloeks, where new schools were urgently required, the position has been materially relieved during the year that I have held office. Newb’-settled districts have had special attention, and they will continue to have the Government’s particular consideration. In towns and suburban districts, where the overcrowding problem has been so acute, I shall not be able to Build so many new’ schools as I would desire. We shall have to make the best of the schools by remodelling and renovating them, and to provide such further accommodation as is necessary by renting halls and other buildings. It is of no u.se to blink at the position; it has to he faced. I must do the liest that I can to make the Departments policy conform to the exigencies of pute lie finance, although I hope a certain amount of building will still go on. Fortunately we have placed teachers’ salaries in a much better position, and I hope they will remain in 'his position. I also have been able to secure three or four time© as many entrants for the teaching profession as we have had in any previous year. This means a reduction in the size of large classes that is such a handicap to the giving of individual treatment to pupils.”