No change in bursary plans, but Minister will meet trainee teachers

Press, 10 June 1982, Page 2

No change in bursary plans, but Minister will meet trainee teachers

PA Auckland No change would be made to the Government's new three-tier tertiary bursary scheme, said the Minister of Education (Mr Wellington) yesterday. He was commenting on a challenge from teacher trainees that he meet them to discuss the scheme. s Trainees are angry because students entering teachers’ college next year will be placed on the standard bursary, with university students, instead of a current weekly allowance of between $53 and $lOO. While he had not been

approached by' trainees, he would be willing to meet them and explain the new scheme, said Mr Wellington.

“But there will not be any change.” he said. Mr Wellington was in Auckland to meet the Auckland Education Board, as part of a tour of all New Zealand boards, to assist with problems and to outline Government policy and the need for financial restraints.-

The meeting was held in private. Board members later gave little indication of what was discussed.

The acting chairman, Mr Ken Skudder, said that the Minister had not divulged any forthcoming cuts, but members were pleased at

the Minister’s open answers to their questions.

The establishment of a separate board in Northland was also discussed. The Auckland Education Board covers the area from North Cape to Meremere. and a division into two has long been sought.

Mr Skudder said that the board would forward figures to the Minister justifying the need for a second board, and he had indicated that he would give the matter further consideration. The New Zealand Educational Institute’s representative, Mr B. W. Dynes, said that he had appreciated Mr Wellington’s visit but "one is never delighted to have to sit and listen to bad news."