KINDERGARTEN SCHOOLS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 22, 25 July 1918, Page 2

KINDERGARTEN SCHOOLS

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OP EDUCATION. The question of the Education Department taking control of education at an earlier age than that now provided for by law has been under the consideration of the Minister for Education, the Hon. J. A. Hanan. Mr. Hanan stated at Auckland, states the Herald, that by reason of conditions that had developed during the war and information that was coming under his notice from officers of his Department . and through outside sources, it was becoming manifest that the State would require to give more attention and supervision to child welfare. He had come to the conclusion that it would be desirable that the Department should take over, to some extent, kindergarten classes. On going into the question •of expenditure however, he had foun4 that if such a plan were confinec" to 12 or 15 of the larger towns in NeW'^Zealand, it would involve the addition 6f from 100 to 150 rooms to existing schools. If provision were made at all it would have to be made for all the I children availabale in the towns concerned. The approximate expenditure would would not be less than £60,000, with an additional £5000 at least for furniture and equipment, and with 100 to ISO teachers at a salary, of, say, £110 per annum each. . The total cost would, therefore, be not less than, approximately, £65,000 for the first year, not including the existing free kindergartens, •if they were taken over. Having regard to the many other demands for increased education expenditure, and taking into consideration further pressing needs, he* did not think Cabinet would approve of action being tafen in the matter at present.