NEEDS OF EDUCATION.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 November 1918, Page 2

NEEDS OF EDUCATION.

(►_— — * THE SHORTAGE OF TEACHEBS* *,' m, > OVERCROWDING PIOBLEM, | > BUILDING FUND OF £300,000. > WELLINGTON, Nov. 27. $ The growing claims of education were referred to by Sir Joseph ."Ward in the Financial Statement in forecasting the growth of expenditure upon. * both teachers' salaries and school- i > buildings. > The education estimates for the finJ ancial year show a considerable increase over the amount expended during the previous year. This is due * primarily to statutory provisions re- > suiting from the steadily increasing > school population of the Dominion, > which necessitates greater expenditure year by year in teachers' salaries, the maintenance of buildings, and other services, more particularly in connection with our elementary schools. * During the year, in anticipation of > Parliamentary sanction, small additions > were made to the emoluments of pupil- > teachers, probationers, and teachers in. training. In the case of these young I people the position demanded prompt action, as the attractions of other oc- * cupations were cutting off the supply ' of applicants. > The most pressing educational need , at the present time is an adequate supply of properly trained teachers, and no important step in educational progress can be made until a large increase in the number of efficient teachers has been secured. It is impossible / to bring about the important reform

of reducing the size of the large class- ; es in our city schools because of the acute shortage of teachers, and the , difficulty of securing the proper type of young people for the .teaching pro- i fpssion. Again, if we arc to attain ■ a higher standard of individual and national efficiency, the scope of compulsory education must be extended J so as to include young people up to j the age of 16 or 17,,wh0, during the most formative years of their lives.

should be required to ■ continue their education in order to become better j fitted as citizens, workers, and parents. This reform also is difficult to j bring into operation until aa increared supply of trained teachers is available; but upon the return of our troops this should to some extent be mitigated. ! The services of promoting the health and the physical development of the J pupils of primary schools are being j gradually extended as opportunity per- i inits. By reason of conditions devel- I oping, the question of further steps ( being taken to promote child-welfare is receiving earnest consideration. ' The greatly increased cost of constructing new buildings and of maintaining and improving existing buildings has been accentuated, and the policy of confining the expenditure.!,to works that are essential to meet pressing requirements has as a matter of necessity been continued. In this connection it should be mentioned that I the postponement of a number of ap- f ' plications for building grants will nec- ■ cssitate provision being made for larger expenditure in the future. The question of overs'■"> vl in cur large schools is a matter for serious consideration, and an endeavour has been made, so far as funds allow, to alleviate the worst cases. Further, many of our older school buildings require remodelling, but there are difficulties in the way of effecting reforms. The provision of suitable sites in populous areas is another problem involving not only heavy expenditure, but also the question of locating schools to suit future requirements. Numerous applications are also being made for large sums of money for new technical buildings to meet the need for increased accommodation in a number of centres, and also for the provision of hostels or boardinghouses for the benefit of country children attending many of our hign schools. During the year the funds held by Education Boards for building purposes have been put on an improved basis, and a clear distinction lias been made between funds available for maintenance and those, required to be reserved for rebuilding worn-out schools. In view of the pressing necessity for new school buildings, additions to school buildings and other requirements an increase of the Public Works, vote by £300,000 will be provided. This I amount will, I hope, be sufficient for ; purpose indicated, and, 'it -ill events it will not be possible to spend more i than that sum during the financial J year.