Education cuts slated

Press, 11 May 1979, Page 1

Education cuts slated

If the Government made further significant cuts to education spending in the Budget, it would make it clear that it had established a long-term policy of breaking down the present school system, said Professor G. A. Nuthall, a professor of education at the University of Canterbury. The Government had already embarked on a policy of reducing spending on education, said Professor Nuthall. Last year's Budget allowed for an increase of 4 per cent in education spending. Corrected for inflation over the last year, this had meant a decrease in real terms of about 6 per cent.

“Expressed as dollars, the last Budget provided S47M less than was needed to keep educational expenditure at the same level as the previous year. In other words, schools are already taking an effective cut of S47M in the money available to run them,” Professor Nuthall said. “This cut represents the biggest single reduction in educational expenditure since the Depression of the 19305. At that time, money for schools was cut because Government income was falling and the Government had little choice.” The present cuts were being made at a time of rising Government income, said Professor Nuthall. The

last Budget showed an increase of Government income of 16.5 per cent. Corrected for inflation, this came to a real increase of about 6.5 per cent. “This means that, as a proportion of Government expenditure, the amount of money made available to run the school system has been cut by about 12 per cent. “So cutting educational expenditure is a policy decision which this Government had already made at the time of the last Budget. It chose to divert a large amount of its income from schools and spend it elsewhere.” Professor Nuthall said those working in schools knew "the pinch” had al-

ready been felt. Primary school teachers did not have the books they needed, and secondary schools had become dependent on fees for up to half their running costs.

“If the Government implements further significant cuts in the next Budget, it will make it clear that it has established a long-term policy of breaking down the present school system,” he said.

“It will give it a unique place in the history of education in this country, and, as far as I am aware, a unique place among the Governments of the developed world.