TECHNICAL STUDENTS

Evening Post, Issue 2, 2 July 1932, Page 13

TECHNICAL STUDENTS

INCENTIVE FOR,WORK

MORE BURSARIES, LESS

FEES

As an encouragement to. apprentices and others taking courses at technical schools, the Minister of Education (tho Hon. R. Masters) announces a reduction of- 20 per cent, in tho fees for technological examinations and an increase in the number of bursaries awarded to technical school candidates.

The Minister stated last night that he realised that the prevailing depression in industry had made it very difficult for candidates to pay the necessary entry fees, which, on account of the type of examination, involving expensive practical tests of workmanship, special workshops and equipment, etc., wero necessarily not as low as in the ease of the ordinary public school examinations. Ho had therefore had under consideration the question of reducing the examination fee and thus encouraging apprentices to take these particular examinations, which he felt sure had an excellent effect on technical education throughout tho Dominion.

The value of this type of education, particularly in developing a high standard of craftsmanship, said Mr. Masters, was never more apparent than at the present time, when so many young tradesmen had through unemployment lost their opportunity of developing their talents except through the facilities provided by the technical schools. Recognising the difficulties against which the average- candidate was labouring at present, especially that of part-time employment, and unemployment in many instances, tho Minister had decided to reduce the examination fees by 20 por cent. He hoped a largo number of apprentices would now bo able to take advantage of the undoubted benefits to be derived by securing a certificate of efficiency by means of the technological examinations.

The Minister also stated that he had been considering whether it: would not be possible- to give further encouragement to higher technical education by awarding a somewhat larger number of bursaries to technical school candidates than, had been allotted- during the last few years. The money for tho purpose would be secured by reducing the number, of bursaries awarded to candidates on solely academic qualifications. ■ . . ■....-•■

At tho present time, said Mr. Masters, over 1200, bursaries were being held at university, colleges, and ho found that comparatively few of them were held by students who were aiming to secure higher technical.-educa-tion. He thought this typo of student should be encouraged, and there was every reason during this time' of industrial ■■' difficulty to encourage more attention to technical education of tho higher, type. In 1933-34 it was proposed to increase the agricultural bursaries by 10, making the total number tenable 17.. Architecture -would be increased by 2, making a total of 2; art by 2, making a total of 2; engineering by 5, making a total of 7; and homo science by 5, making a total of 14.