The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd, 1925. COST OF EDUCATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd, 1925. COST OF EDUCATION.

, Tiif. cost of education in tiiis country , is heginning to exercise the mind of 1 those who pay some attention to the finance of the country. Perhaps it would he more correct to say that the aspect is whether New Zealand, is receiving an adequate return for the cost which education expenditure has risen to. As one critic says, it would appear that the financial capacity of the country has ceased to be a consideration in the matter. This statement will be better appreciated when it is remarked that considerably over three and a half million pounds are now being paid. In the last Financial Statement, the Government pointed with a good deal of pride to the total cost, but it was noticeable that nothing was said as to the efficiency or success of the system. However, despite the large expenditure, and the satisfaction felt by the Government with its work, the head of the Victorian Education Department is nonin New Zealand at the invitation of the Government, reporting on Education in the Dominion. The present Ministry is prone to the policy of appointing Commissions or calling for reports. Something of the same kind was done 1 with the Railways, and the report indicated much required to he done in that branch of the departmental service. Mr Tate is the visiting commissioner in regard to education, and his public utterances seem to confirm his general ability and capability for the task he has before him. One paper remarks that the Government’s action implies weakness and lack of self-confid-ence in the Ministerial head of the Dominion department. If this be so. it is satisfactory at least that the Government recognising shortcomings, ,

lias set about to remedy them. At the same time it is fair comment to sav that Liberal Ministers hail more confidence in themselves, and did not need to seek outside advice as to liow their departments might lie run. as is so constantly done nowadays. A Minister is expected to fulfil his portfolio adequately. and see that everything is efficiently done. It has been the fashion of late to add many frills to the education system, and it would appear the Minister is getting out of bis depths, and bis colleagues alarmed at the growing cost, desire to see the position reviewed from inside by an expert of standing and repute, and so the capable head of the AT'ctorian Department is called across to assist. The order of reference for the report desired is not lie fore 11s. hut as primary education is first and foremost the obligation of the country, we hope that stage will receive the chief consideration of the Commissioner. The primary teachers are carrying increased obligations nowadays, while the matter of school buildings with increasing population is another important aspect for attention. All analysis of the cost of Education would be of interest showing the relative quotas of the three and a half million for primary, secondary, and university education. The bulk of the pupils are in the primary section, and it is ill that section "bore the first concern of the country .should be. It is of course easy to understand that the system i.s a whole lias grown up in such n. way that it will be difficult to curtail or withdraw privileges which have become established. But the review of the system by an outsider who has been success! ul in bis own country tv ill be of value, and should afford (as the report of the Railway Commission did) a more intimate insight into the working of a very costly Department. The expenditure, abnormal as it is, will not be so much to cavil at, if the efficient return desired is being given for the great outlay.