FREE KINDERGARTENS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1941, Page 4

FREE KINDERGARTENS

NEED OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS DEPUTATION TO MINISTER SYMPATHETIC RESPONSE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Additional financial support for the New Zealand Free Kindergarten Union was sought by a representative deputation which waited on the Minister of Education, Mr Mason, yesterday. Sympathetic consideration of the deputation's representations was promised by Mr Mason, who said that he would do his utmost to secure a sum on this year's estimates. The deputation included Miss -M. England, vice-president of the union; Mrs J. A. Doctor, of the council of the Kindergarten Association; Mrs E. H. Dowsett, secretary of the Wellington Kindergarten Association; Dr. H. E. Gibbs, representing Rotary clubs; the Mayor of Wellington, Mr Hislop; the principal of the Wellington Teachers’ Training College, Mr F. C. Lopdell; and the Director of the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Mr A. E. Campbell. "The free kindergartens have been in operation in New Zealand for 40 or 50 years, have grown with the increasing population, and now serve a tremendous purpose in New Zealand’s educational and social life,” said’. Mr Hislop. “Today they have reached the stage when they cannot enlarge and where there is grave risk of their falling back. They are unable to get the necessary teachers or to make arrangements for the training of student teachers.”

After referring to increased salaries paid to female employees in the civil service, dental service, nursing profession, and other employments, Mr Hislop suggested a grant of £6750 which would give the kindergarten teacher an additional salary of £5O and the kindergarten trainee, who at present received no remuneration, an allowance of the same amount. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. A financial statement read by Mrs Dowsett indicated that 75 certificated teachers were required to carry on the work of the kindergartens, and at least 60 students in training would be necessary to meet the present demand and to allow for a limited measure of extension work. The capitation paid by the Government of £4 a child on the average roll was far from adequate. In some cases, approximately two-thirds of the running costs of the kindergarten was met by public subscription. Replying, the Minister assured the deputation of his sympathy and desire to help. He agreed that the beginning of a child’s life was most important, and consequently the kindergarten was a most important part of education. The question was what the Government could manage financially. The circumstances of the war, which were largely responsible for the difficulties the Union had, also created a difficulty in helping. He was not just at the moment in a position to make large promises. He would do his utmost to secure a sum on the Estimates when the Budget was under consideration.