"MUCH TO LEARN"

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 22, 26 July 1927, Page 14

"MUCH TO LEARN"

NEW ZEALAND'S EDUCATION COST

MEETING NON-RECURRENT

CHARGES

Illuminating figures regarding the comparative cost of education in* New Zealand and other countries were presented to the monthly meeting of the Wellington Technical College Board of Governors last evening by the Director (Mr. J. H. Howell). "The statements made in my last report on this subject have been referred to at length in the Press by a contributor, 'Taxpayer,' " said Mr. Howell. "I do not propose to traverse ground already covered, but I have elsewhere shown that New Zealand has much to learn from a middle western State of America such as AViseonsin, and that her expenditure per head of population on primary education is actually less than that of England and Wales. Figures have recently come to hand regarding the expenditure by the London County Council on primary and secondary education which are also illuminating. The gross annual cost per pupil in 1925-26 in the London secondary schools was £40 Is lid; in New Zealand it was £32 12s. Tho gross annual cost per pupil in the London County Council primary schools was £15 15s sd; in New Zealand it was £11 Bs.

"Since the cost of living and cost of building are higher in New Zealand than in England, our expenditure should bo higher; yot in each case the above figures show it to be loss. It is an insult to theiv intelligence to maintain that the people of New Zealand, when once they are made aware of it, will rest content that their children should be given facilities for education much inferior to those provided in the Old Country. It must be remembered that our people are above the average of the stock from which they have sprung, both in mental as in physical powers; and it is inconceivable that they will knowingly allow the standard, of their children to deteriorate, as it certainly will do if the advocates of retrenchment in education have their way and allow New Zealand to reject tho maxim, which the Cuke of York left us—'Take care of the children and the country will-take care of itself.' If all the necessary charges for a good education cannot be met out of revenue, why should not New Zealand meet non-recurrent charges, such as those for new buildings, by means of loans as is done, and with good reason, elsewhere? In London, tho debt charges per head for secondary school pupils were £3 12s 4d in 1924-25, and were estimated at £4 7s 3d for 1927-28 In this way, by means of loans for educational purposes, London is able to provide flno buildings and even sports grounds for her, secondary schools that will serve the needs of many future generations. '■

Is not a policy wrong which hampers every generation by making the Present bear.the burden which should bo spread over many? y ot this is the educational policy which Now Zealand persists in.