EDUCATION CUTS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 191, 6 April 1932, Page 7

EDUCATION CUTS

SUGGESTED ECONOMIES IN STUDENT TEACHERS' ALLOW AN CES. PARENTS CONCERNED. Concern is heing expressed hy several parents in the Rotorua district over a recommendation in the interim report of the National Expenditure Commission in regard to allowances to training college students. These annual allowances at present are: — Female students, £72; male students, £76 10s. A hoarding allowance of £27 is paid to students living away from home. The report states that this expenditure cannot he justified under present conditions, and the Commission recommends that present allowances be abolished and that training college hursaries be suhstituted of the value of £26 per annum with a hoarding allowance of £26 per annum for students living away from home. It was suggested that the hursaries be limited to degree students, and that, further, a system of allowances rep,ayable hy instalments at the conclusion of the training period be instituted. In conclusion, the report stated that it was recognised that it would be impossible to bring this system into operation as from the date of the opening of the colleges this year, but it was suggested that the change take place as from the second term in the eurrent year. Breach of Faith. If this sudden alteration were brought about parents interested hold that it would he a distinct hreach ef faith. They point out that parents have to sign a hond for £250 guaranteeing that each student will diligently perform certain duties! for a period of two years, or three years if demanded, and, following that, shall teach for a further iive years. To this extent both parent and student are bound for at least seven years. As this contract was entered into on the understanding that certain commitments would be carried out by the Government hy way of training, allowances and future employment, any disturhance of same hy way of reduction$ or discontinuance is regarded as a distinct hreach of faith. Many students, after putting in several years' work preparatory to entering training colleges, have committed themselves financially in preparation for their work as teachers, and others cannot afford to carry on if the allowances are withdrawn. They hold that if a new policy is needed it should' not he allowed to affect those who have entered into these bonds on their part, on the understanding that the Government would provide certain allowances, but should be withheld until all of those so situated had completed their course of training. They hold that there, is at least a strong moral responsibility, if not a legal one, on the Government to honour its contract.