COST OF EDUCATION

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 33, 7 August 1931, Page 8

COST OF EDUCATION

ECONOMIES SUGGESTED

PARENTS SHOULD PAY

Possible economies in the educational system were suggested by Mr. W. J. Poison (Independent, Stratford) in the House of ■Eepresentatives last night during the course of his speech on the' Budget debate. Mr, Poison said that in his opinion children wero sent to school too early, and h© favoured the cutting down of expendituie in the kindergarten system. Ho was proud of the primary schools, and would not reduce expenditure in that direction, but would adopt a' different attitude when it came to the secondary schools." Practically the whole of tlie pupils- of the secondary schools paid no fees, and he had been informed that the number' of pupils at tho Christchurch Boys' High School paying fees 'could' be counted oif the fingers of one hand. The average cost of educating secondary school pnpils was about £25 per annum, and many of the students had no discovered or undiscovered aptitudes. Many of them made excellent tradesmen or farmers, but the money spent on their secondary education was entirely wasted., -'- „•> By all means those showing merit, either by examination or any other test, should have a free education, but the balance of the children^ ,who',did .not show any aptitude, Should,.. nV>'t\, be given the facilities" of- secondary.1:' education unless their parents, wore prepared to contribute* towards > their fees. A _ free educational system from " the primary schools to the .university.-was a fino ideal, but'in a'time like^.the present it 'was essential "th.at expenditure should bo kept as low-as possible.