TRIMMING COSTS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 169, 13 April 1932, Page 8

TRIMMING COSTS

Secondary Education Bill SOME DECISIONS Statement by the Minister FREE PLACE TESTS In addressing a conference of the representatives of the secondary schools boards yesterday on the subject of cuts iti education expenditure, the Minister of Education announced some decisions which had been reached by Cabinet in regard to the recommendation of the National Economic Commission. Summarised, the decisions are: 'J'be recommendation that secondary school grants be reduced has been approved. Owing to the splendid condition of repair ol' the primary schools, no maintenance of primary schools will be provided for this, year. No charges ore to be made for proficiency and other certificates. Junior and senior free place examinations will be bold this year. The effect of this will be that, no free plac<#s will lie granted this year ou the recommendation of the principal as in the past. In addition, it is probable that there will be a substantial reduction in the number of students going into the training colleges, even if they are not cut out altogether. Grants for science and art in secondaryschools will be reduced to a Hat rate of 4/- per pupil. 'The Minister said he had no doubt that the recommendations of those who had given long, and active voluntary service in the cause of the educational welfare of the 1 country would be of great assistance to Cabinet in reaching decisions as to where economies could be effected. They all realised the need for economy, for the financial outlook 'at the moment was not any brighter. He spoke of thd deficits which had resulted in the last two years, and the statement that without further taxation and economies the country would this year be faced with a deficit of £8,500,000. The position was a difficult one, and the Government desired the sympathy, help, and advice of the conference. Education costs in New Zealand had considerably increased in recent years., Some economies had been effected before the commission came into being, representing about £850,000. As a result-of the commission’s recommendations, further economies in the course of the next year or so would amount to £1,150,000. Abolition or Reduction. The commission, said the Minister, recommended the abolition of education bodies throughout the Dominion and the centralisation of control established in Wellington. He had experience of the valuable work done by the boards in the past, and it was for the conference to express its opinion to him as to whether such a step as that proposed was desirable, ij. would rest with him to make a recommendation to Cabinet accordingly. It might be desirable that the number of boards should be reduced. With the unification of boards it might be possible to bring about more economic and more effective control. It was felt that, in such an important matter as control, no. decision should be made until those interested bad been given an opportunity of expressing their opinions as to what should be done. Referring to the proposed reduction of subsidies, the Minister said that from 1913 to 1931 secondary schools had raised £32,46S and primary schools £468,000 by local efforts. It was not proposed to ent out the subsidies altogether, however, but only for this yearRadical Reduction of Studcuts. In regard to the training colleges, proceeded the Minister, a definite decision had not yet been reached. Some changes would be made. There were over 700 teachers on the unemployed list who were only receiving work as a result 1 of the ration system. It was possible that the number of students going into training colleges next year would be considerably reduced, if not cut out altogether. The commission recommended a reduction in the grant for science and art, and it would be reduced Io a flat ’rate of I/-. It bad been found that some schools bad large credit balances under this heading, and ip one instance had accumulated four years’ grants amounting to about £BOO. No further grant would be made to tbit school until the money in hand had been expended. It. was evident that several schools were not spending the money given -for that particular purpose. 4 Maintenance and Free Places. The Minister said that in view of the splendid-state of repair of the primary schools the department would forgo maintenance for one year only. There would lx? a reduction in grants, which might cause some hardship for a time. No charges would be made for proficiency and other certificates. Examinations would be held this year for junior and senior free places, and the proficiency examination would be ou the accrediting system. The information the department had received on this subject would be very helpful in the future. Replying to questions, the Minister said the cost of railway travel would not be cut out as it would make no difference to the Consolidated Fund. No Definite Reductions. Asked what was the minimum reduction possible in the education vote, the Minister replied that the policy was to effect reductions wherever possible without fixing any amount.. The conference must keep in mind always, that this year there would still be a deficit of two millions. Mr. H. R. Billing. New Plymouth, said he would like to see figures to show that the abolition of the high school boards would effect any saving in lhe education expenditure. The Minister replied that he did 1 not hold himself responsible for the recommendations of lip* commission or the figures it had given. He could not say what the saving would be. but 1’50.000 had been suggested, and that might bo n basis to work on. Consideration would be given to the question of capitation grants to smaller boards where it was found difficult to carry on.