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Evening Star, Issue 21007, 22 January 1932, Page 2

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WHEN NO WORK OFFERS EDUCATION MINISTER'S APPEAL [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, January 21. An appeal to parents to keep their children at school for another year when it is found that employment cannot be obtained is made by the Minister of Education (Hon. 11. Masters), in a statement to the dominion the Minister reviews the difficulties facing parents who are trying to find work for boys and girls leaving school, and urges that those who have not secured a proficiency certificate should return to Standard VI., and that those who have won the right to free secondary education should take advantage of it, at

least until the prospects of the labour t market improve. He had intended calling a conference of educational authorities to' consider the problem, but in . view of the need for economy ho had decided that better work could bo done , by keeping in touch with local organisations. ; “ The problem concerning the best way to grapple with the difficulty . which parents- are experiencing at the present time in finding employment for their children on the completion of the - school course is one that is giving me grave concern,” the Minister said. “ I . am very pinch gratified witli the efforts that are being made by voluntary or- , ganisations, both in the cities and in many of the smaller centres, to deal with this difficult question, and it is pleasing to learn of the very considerable supcess that has attended their efforts. I recognise the difficulties with which the local organisations are con- • fronted, and it is the * Government’s ■ desire to co-operate with those who are now working in various parts of the •' dominion in providing a solution of this difficult problem. “ I may mention that in some centres vocational officers are being employed to advise boys and girls of such employment as is available, and to give them counsel as to what they should do when work is not available. My original intention was to call a dominion conference to consider the problem, hut in view of the expense that would be entailed and lor other reasons I

decided that the best results would be obtained by meetings with local organisations and committees already established in various centres. This would be distinctly advantageous, in that it would allow my department an opportunity of getting into the closest touch ivitli the whole of the local organisations, to interview those specially interested, and to investigate the conditions obtaining. The more complete understanding thus obtained would enable the department to co-operate with the organisations in their useful work. In the meantime, therefore, my department will co-operate with tho voluntary organisations to which 1 refer, and 1- have not the slightest doubt that every other Government department will also assist. “ I am aware of the extreme difficulty that exists at tho present time in finding positions for boys and girls, and I heartily approve of tho efforts that arc, being made to encourage lads to take up farm pursuits. For those who cannot find positions of any kind 1 consider that they should, where possible. return to the primary schools. With regard to pupils who have just loft school, I would say that if any of these have not secured a proficiency certificate they should re-enter the primary school for another year and continue their studies in Standard VI. In the case of those who have secured a proficiency certificate and are entitled to free post-primary education, they should enter the school—secondary or technical, as the case may be—that is most likely to provide them with tho type of education from which they arc likely to receive the maximum benefit. Everyone must agree that during this time of industrial depression, when employment is difficult to secure, it is better for boys and girls to ho usefully engaged in continuing their education rather than to lemain idle and exposed possibly to undesirable influences. I would urge all parents to send their hoys back to school if they arc unable to secure employment, as a life of idleness will develop a drift which will not bo in tho best interests of the boy or the State. Furthermore, the lad has a better opportunity of securing a position when attending school than ho would if ho had loft.”