NIGHT CLASS FEES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 248, 19 October 1928, Page 11

NIGHT CLASS FEES.

FOR TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION

PROTEST AGAINST INCREASE.

DISPARITY OF, CHARGES

"This is another ease where the Education Department has disregarded entirely the representatives of the technical colleges throughout the Dominion," said Mr. H. Si.W. King; chairman of the Seddon Memorial Technical College Board at yesterday's meeting, when the proposed new scale of charges for evening classes was under discussion. "Wo agreed at the conference of the Technical Education Association to recommend that no fees be charged at all," he added.

The principal, Mr. G. J. Park, pointed out the disparity that existed between the present .charges and those in many other Countries. In Edinburgh any subject could be taken for 5/ a year, and in Aberdeen one evening a week cost 3/ a year and two evenings 5/. Under the proposed scale circulated by the Minister of Education the charges were raised from 33 1-3 per cent to 80 per cent on the present rates. "There are undoubtedly some advantages in charging higher ■ fees in that students who enrol and have to pay the higher fee will be much more likely to be in earnest about their work," he added. "In connection with our evening classes, the board must collect the fees on behalf of the department, to which thev must be remitted without deduction. Frequently requests are made by students to have their fees accepted on the instalment principle, ana occasionally students do not -, enrol because they have not the funds. I think, therefore, there is more to be said in favour of making evening class - instruction free or almost free, than on the other side. It is to be remembered that yonn? men who give lip their: time for self improvement are deserving of assistance from the State. Question of Bias. "A strong feeling in technical schools at the present time, is that there* is a distinct bias against technical education among those administering the Education Department. The Minister has not been any increases, but is making of his own accord a definite increase /in the charges to be levied against ' the students. Almost at the same {ime we have him making definite increases m the. amounts voted, to the universities in Order to make possible improved facilities without any raising of fees. In the technical schools there is a decided increase in the fees charged •without any alteration in the nature of the instruction to be given. -The effect upon , the Government finances of the increased fees cannot amount to more than £2600. but the effect on individuals will certainly .be considerable. If the board chooses tO\,protest to the Minister it intferestinf to look into the actual* position. Prior to 1820, all fees collected were ; the ; . -the hoards, .but since 1920 thi* have been , tfcrtartroenfcv- Tdnr not know of^n^Ve^fetion^wlfeich^tytmiA eomcel the work" lectins fees for the mav : be interesting to the board Ho iriouire as to its legal ' position in connexion with Mr. King said it was questionable Whether the board could be <compelled 'to/collect fees. .'*• • .• -0' " "' It to protest'to the* Minister against the proposed increase, and draw Ids attention to" the.difference between the charges in New.Zealand and elsewhere. Thequestion of the board's legal position- as to collection of fees' Was deferred.