FREE EDUCATION

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 25, 24 October 1942, Page 8

FREE EDUCATION

From Kindergarten To University BOARD’S ADVOCACY Dominion Special Service. DUNEDIN, October 23. The Otago Education Board carried the following motion today:—“That, envisaging essential work of reconstruction after the war in all departments of our national life, this board strongly supports the democratic principle of equality in education, and is strongly of opinion that free education from kindergarten to university should be the birthright of all worthy of ir, irrespective of tlieir financial status.” "In a democratic community, all should have equal rights of educatiton,” said the mover,'Mr. N. H. Colquhoun. “Let us make all educationally equal. Let us give all the same chance, treating both rich and poor alike for the good of the whole. To make this policy effective school books and stationery should be provided free at primary and secondary schools. Students attending university where necessary should be given an adequate allowance to enable them to carry on their studies without undue hardship.” There were two sides to the question, said tiie chairman, Mr. J. Wallace. Though he was of opinion that everyone had a right to free education, he could' not help thinking that, if the principles implied in the motion were fully implemented, there would be enormous waste of money, time, energy and people.