EDUCATION IN 1932.

Evening Star, Issue 20989, 31 December 1931, Page 8

EDUCATION IN 1932.

Despite many rumours, the year lias closed without any comprehensive statement being made by the Government as to impending changes with regard to education. Tki free place system still stands intact. Certain heavy cuts seemed promised in the Supplementary Estimates at the close of the session. Apart, however, from notices of termination of grants to such bodies as the W.E.A. and the free kindergartens—which, wo presume, are now to lie regarded as “ frills ” —there is little indication of the further economies which no doubt will be proposed. Alcan while a very real problem has rapidly developed in the solution of which the school will have to play a central part. There is probably no record of the number of children in 1931 who wore neither at work nor at school. We suspect they were rather numerous, as there were many discharges, and “ back to school ” is a rather irksome proposition. This number will undoubtedly bo very largely increased in the new year. Some thousands of children in the glory of their “ proficiency ” will leave the primary schools as usual. A considerable number will continue their education in the various post-primary schools, but a considerable number will not. They will of necessity seek work —and probably not find it. Numbers more will pass the Civil Service examination, and will not bo offered cadetships. The usual three or four thousand will matriculate, only to find practically none of the professions needing recruits. The total of all these groups will run into thousands of valuable potential producers, educated in varying degree to take their part in our economic system, only to find that at present they are not wanted. That they shall bo left to do nothing is surely dangerous, and therefore unthinkable. These adolescents must be related to some institution round which their energies and interests can centre, and so avoid dissipation and deterioration.

The school is the obvious centre that must meet tho situation, A definite scheme of pre-voca-tional education to meet tho emergency is therefore urgently called for. In tho dominion, for better or worse, all our education emanates from the Government department. The Minister of Education is therefore called upon, through the director, to plan and putforward as soon as possible some positive scheme to absorb the energies of unemployed adolescents. Undoubtedly a number will enter or stay on at secondary and technical schools in the usual way, and others will go on to tho university colleges. But for a largo remainder wo feel some more elastic form of occupation must be provided. The problem of finance is, of course, a stumbling block, but the issue, in that it concerns the future of many thousands, is of prime importance. Tho cost can be kept down by the use of existing organisations, especially any that can extend their work without undue extra expense. Tho university is of this nature: an increase in students, up to a certain limit, can be dealt with without an increase in staff. The New Zealand University is not renowned for quick action, as it has not had to face emergencies. But it should bo called upon to take a part here, possibly through such organisations as the W.E.A. and the homo science extension bureau. Doubtless the Manufacturers’ Association and tho chambers of commerce and similar bodies could also lend their aid. But, to begin with, a lead should be given from tho Minister of Education himself. We urge this as his first concern for the new year.