Education spending

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32561, 22 March 1971, Page 14

Education spending

Sir,—l did not “pass judgment on student teachers” but advised them to be wary because neither they nor their leaders are fully aware of .education realities. It was kind of “Aloysius” to suggest that I try a little teaching, but I have tried a lot, from 1930 to 1969, in all kinds of schools from sole charge to a multi-course high school, and am now teaching reading, arithmetic, spelling, and so on for five hours daily. "Pinitus” may blame the home for iriost cases of pupil bad manners and bad conduct, but when children of normal intelligence after six years or so of “schooling” know little elementary arithmetic, few basic sounds, and spell like five-year-olds, the Education Department must take a bow. It is not the amount of money spent that counts but how wisely it is used.—Yours, etc., J.F.W. March 21, 1971.

Sir, —Three people seem to be much upset by “J.F.W.’s” letter, but I think a lot of people will agree with his view. $265 millions is a lot to spend in one year. Pretty doubtful value we get, I think. Recently I heard a man say that we and the world generally are going “education mad.” He may have something there, when one notes the trouble through out the world. Of course we have to have some educated people, but after all, the production of goods, and services, is achieved by people using their hands. It just

seems tb me that in spite of more education there is more dissatisfaction generally.— Yours, etc., SCEPTICAL. March 20, 1971.