ALLEGATION DENIED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 16, 30 October 1933, Page 8

ALLEGATION DENIED

FACILITIES FOR EDUCATION,

CHILDREN NOT DEPRIVED,

(Special to the “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, October 28

The charge' that the Government- had deprived girls and hoys of educational facilities was emphatically denied hy the Minister of Education (the Hon. 11. Masters), who claims that liberal treatment has been afforded them in many ways.

“In cases where they have been unable to find employment, children'have been encouraged to return to school and continue their’studies, rather than idle their time about the streets.”

Tho Minister adds that those pupils who have completed the primary stage and cannot conveniently attend a postprimary school may be enrolled in Standard VII. At present there are 700 children in Standard VII. classes. In addition to the waiving of the lOs intermediate examination fee, 1000 children who failed to qualify for the senior free places last- year were granted extensions because their parents were unable to pay fees. Again, in 70 cases, technical school fees were omitted in cases of hardship.

In a few instances relief workers in Christchurch had been assisted to take a course’ of instruction in wool classing. The efforts of the Department in assisting to place girls and boys in situations had not been relaxed and with the whole-hearted co-operation of teachers valuable work was being L dono and would be .continued. In Wellington alone, the principals of post-prim-ary schools bad placed 300 boy-s in employment since, the beginning of the year. Similar results were being obtained in other parts of the Dominion. There was nothing to prevent children returning to school and continuing their studies until they were able to find employment.