Minister to dispense $4M a day?

Press, 20 July 1977, Page 3

Minister to dispense $4M a day?

i PA ’ Nelsont Education will not be hit badly by tomorrow’s Budget, the Minister of Education (Mr Gandar) hinted yesterday. Addressing the Nelson i Education Board, he said he was pleased with his Cabinet colleagues’ regard for education spending. “To give an illustration of the size of education now, I often explain that I, as Minister of Education, spend $3 l million a day. “This will be up to about S4M a day this year.” I Mr Gandar also said NelJson might lead New Zealand I into an exciting new education era — a restructuring

)f the education adminis- j tration to allow more decisions to be made locally. The new system had been discussed in Nelson for about 18 months, but he was disappointed it had not yet been completely accepted. The main setback to the introduction of the scheme in Nelson has been the opposition of the Nelson Secondary Schools Council. In July 4, the council voted 4-3 against having ary further “dialogue” with the Nelson

I Education Board about some] if its administration servicing being taken over by the board. “I was disappointed such close vote ended discussion,” said Mr Gandar. “I hope this is not the last word, and that the matter will be reconsidered. “We hope that Nelson will be the first to adopt the new system — then others will be quick to see the advantages and will be keen to join.”