COST OF EDUCATION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 239, 6 July 1944, Page 3

COST OF EDUCATION

Expenditure £l7 For Each Child EXTENSION OF SERVICE Last, year £S,(X)O.6fK) was spent mi education, but he had not heard any public complaint about it, said the Minister of Education, Mr. Mason, when address- ; ing in Wellington last night the Qominion Federation of School Committees Associations. This meant about £l7 for each primary school child. "The grants to school committees for incidentals have been ' increased.” added the Minister. “The funds may be spent on a wider range of materials—pianos, projectors for visual aids,' physical education apparatus, and so on. But 'there will always be the need for funds raised locally to supplement Government grants. Money is not so valuable to children as materials; these are the local committees to obtain. The'Education Department is extending the school library service as quickly as possible. Filins and filmstrips are provided free, 'rhe quantity of handwork materials is being increased. Sets of manipulative toys are being .provided for every infant department. Text-books arc being prepared for free distribution. "The Government is anxious to reduce the size of classes 'as soon as possible. The personal relationship between the teacher and rhe child is important. That means smaller classes. Afore teachers are needed. There are more students in the training colleges than ever before. About 2000 teachers are in or have been in the armed forces.. When these-return there will be more opportunity for smaller classes. The raising of the school leaving age has been a complicating factor, making necessary more teachers. It has not been an easy time to do it. More specialist: teachers will be required for intermediate schools. “The Government wnnts the assistance of organizations and persons interested in education in the development: of policy. For this purpose I have called the education conference, which unfortunately has had to be postponed till October. The main topics for discussion will, be pre-school education, youth services, adult education, religion in education, and rural education. Already many useful reports have been sent in. Education is not: static, nnd we want to enlarge its scope. Policy on many matters is settled, but: there are important questions of future development. Education must keep in touch with public opinion if it is to have any vitality at. all, and it is through the school committees that it draws that vitality and keeps in touch with the people. I hope it will long remain that way.”