School grants increased

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32777, 30 November 1971, Page 3

School grants increased

(New Zealand Ptess Association)

WELLINGTON, November 29.

The Government had approved substantial increases in the rates of grants for primary 7 schools’ general expenses, said the Minister of Education (Mr Taiboys) today.

The cost of the increases will amount to $345,000 in this financial year, and it is the fourth year in succession in which the grant has been increased.

The allowance for general school requisites has been increased 20 per cent and the library grant 50 per cent. The grants for lighting, heating and water have also been increased, based on actual expenditure incurred by school committees.

“The increases range from 51c to 65c a pupil, and they will be back dated to February 1 this year,” Mr Taiboys said.

They were based on the results of a survey of needs made earlier this year by the

Education Department and the Education Boards’ Association.

Next year a further in-i crease of 1c a pupil would be given. Mr Taiboys added. This would be in that portion of the grant for special purposes, among which are costs of supplying extra teaching equipment, materials and services, as well as teaching, pupils to swim. The increases were i welcomed by teachers, said 1 the national president of the Educational Institute (Mr A. I I. Charles), in Wellington today.

The backdating of the increases to February would help committees which had faced increasing costs because of inflation. Many committees had been forced to use locally raised funds to keep schools functioning. Whether the increased grants were sufficient to meet housekeeping needs was known only by the committees themselves. “As teachers, we are pleased by any move by the Government which allows school committees to meet their statutory obligations. Any locally raised money can then be used for the provision of additional educational equipment.” LIBRARY NEEDS

Most primary school teachers would continue to be concerned about the provision of library books. “The new maximum library [ grant of 75c a pupil per year! is completely inadequate, particularly for smaller rural schools,” Mr Charles said. “In 1970, an institute survey showed that at least $2.20 a pupil per year was a more realistic figure and costs have increased dramatically since then. “The Government’s decision will certainly result in more money being available to all State primary schools which are having financial difficulties at present,” Mr Charles said.