Economy and Education

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1922, Page 4

Economy and Education

SYDNEY, Aug. 1(1. Although the decision of tile State Government to charge fees for education ill its secondary schools—the High Schools—-lias provoked some hostile criticism, that is outweighed by the commendation of the vast majority of the citizens. The proposed reform will enable tlie Government to considerably augmment the education vote and the money will he expended in the direction o( increasing the glaringly inadequate accommodation in tlie primary schools. The scheme does not in any wav contravene the principles upon which the. education policy is based. Primary education is compulsory and, essentially, free; but such considerations do not apply to its admittedly valuable adjunct, the High Schools. The Government does not intend to close the High Schools against any children who would be debarred from taking a higher educational course through tlie inability of their parents to pay the fees. The uuthorites have declared that special concessions will be made lor deserving cases. The proposed reform merely abolishes the paradoxical injustice ot taking the scanty means of the multitude to pay, in effect, for the privileges of the more fortunately circumstanced minority. In the nature of tilings, it is generally admitted that the parents of those children who, under the present system, can afford to proceed to the High Schools, are well able to pay for those privileges themselves. The -Minister for Education has stated that only 3 per cent of the school population will be affected by the change. The members of the Teachers’ Federation, contending that that is the first move towards class distinction and a reversion to the pauper system, have carried il rcsoltifion affirming that the imposition of fees is ”11 retrograde step and not in tlie best interests of the State.” To tlie great majority of those whose judgment is not based upon an ignorance or misconception of the facts, however, the decision is regarded as a victory for common sense and a failthing all round.