Cuts In Education Spending Opposed

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31320, 16 March 1967, Page 3

Cuts In Education Spending Opposed

(N.Z. Press Association) NELSON, Mar. 15. The education system needed public support to protect it from economy cuts, said Mr C. E. Wiseley, president of the Educational Institute in Nelson today.

“Cuts in education are temptingly easy to make," said Mr Wiseley. “Education used to be thought of as an expense. More recently it has been regarded as an investment of the most important kind—in brainpower. “New Zealand will need all its brainpower resources to solve its problems. Diversification of the economy is an exercise for trained brains. We cannot afford to economise in this field. “Foremost in recent educational investment projects are the transition programme to three-year college courses for teachers, and the commitment to smaller classes. Important curriculum devel-

opments have made in-service training programmes essential. “These all cost money for buildings, recruiting and relieving and part-time teachers. It would be easy for the Government to slow these projects and save money. But teachers and parents know that children will suffer.

“It would be tragic if the Government now devalued its education programme in the interests of economy. Educational economies can never be made up.”