REDUCED GRANTS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1931, Page 4

REDUCED GRANTS

ECONOMY MEASURE. SECONDARY AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS. WELLINGTON, January 27. An annual saving ot about .£16,000 is estimated to result from the reduction made by the Government in capitation ami other grants to secondary and technical schools throughout the country. The reductions have been brought about by Cabinet action in conformity with its campaign for economy in State spending. In addition it has been decided to review the question ol giving tree text hooks in necessitous eases to pupils in secondary and technical schools, at the conclusion of the current financial year. Regulations previously in force allotted an annual capitation payment to secondary schools ol .£2 IDs tor incidental expenses, and these payments have been reduced to £2 per head of scnool population, with a view to bringing about a reduction in departmental expenditure. Similarly, in the ease ot technical schools the allowance at the rate ot 80 per cent of the total salaries paid in any school has been reduced to 26 per cent. It is estimated that the saving for the last quarter of the iinanieal year will total about £-1001) from each of these two sources.

An alteration has also been made in grants to secondary schools having no endowments at all or very small resources from endowments. In these instances it was previously the practice lor the Education Department to inaice up the amount required for maintenance of buildings to a sum. equal to £1 per head of the attendance. Under the new regulations this amount may tie less than £1 per head, according as the Minister of Education determines. It: has been decided to supply free hooks in necessitous instances to pupils at technical and secondary schools until March 81, when the question will ho reviewed by Cabinet. Tree books will umiinue to be supplied to children at primary schools in necessitous cases, in accordance with the previous practice.