DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 11

DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM

PRAISE FOR W.E.A

EXPANSION OF MOVEMENT

In welcoming the delegates to the annual conference of the New Zealand Workers' Educational Association today, the Deputy Mayor, Mr. M. F. Luckic, said that the City of Wellington appreciated the work done by the association. This country was the most democratic in'the world in the matter of education, which was practically free from the kindergarten to the university. The work of the association was an extension of this system of education. It gave people who had not the time or opportunity to attend the schools or universities the facility to gain the knowledge to which they were entitled. ■.-.-, Mr. H. D. Ackland, of Christchurch, presided at the conference. The annual report of the Dominion council stated that the further growth, of tho movement for adult education during the last year in this country revealed that New-Zealand possessed a favourable environment within which adult education could expand. Although the facilities, for secondary education were fairly generous, only a small portion of youths proceeded to the univorsity colleges. It was estimated that 6000 were enrolled in the university colleges last year. • This proved that a largo proportion of the adult population had not enjoyed .a university education, while a good proportion had participated in secondary education for only a year or two. It was to this-second proportion that. the. W.E.A. appealed most strongly, not omittting, of course, a fair number with only a primary education. . • ■ • The expansion of the movement last year was revealed by the fact, that there were organised 168 classes with over 72.02 enrolled students, and three classes, omitted- \to send in their returns. In 'the previous year there were 132 classes, .with 6692 students. The fact:that the Wellington Centre had not furnished this year the number of groups studying •'' Clear Thinking" reduced the total recorded number of classes in session. This indicated that there was-a decrease of 14. in the number of classes, but an increase of over 600 enrolled students. The increase in the number of students had taken place-in the Wellington and Auckland districts. The Canterbury district had increased by 11 classes, but with practically tho same enrolments as last year.. Otago -had the same number" of classes with practically tho same enrolments as in the previous year. The increase in the number.of students in-tho Auckland and Wellington districts was'accounted for.by the fact that both those eenfV'es had organised quito-a number of short courses. In Auckland there were 42 classes and 1773 students, in Wellington 49 classes and 2941 students, in Canterbury 45 classes and 1399 students, and in Otago and Southland 32 classes and 979 students. .'. . . •.. ,-■ :