THE AXE IN EDUCATION

Evening Star, Issue 21519, 18 September 1933, Page 12

THE AXE IN EDUCATION

AMERICA'S SWEEPING ECONOMIES THE SYSTEM ENDANGERED [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 18. In a statement to-day the Hon. R. Masters, Minister of Education, said that as a result of the depressed budgetary positions the expenditure on education has been reduced in almost every country in the world, in some cases quite moderately, while in others one might almost say ruthlessly. “ From the information I was enabled to gather,” said the Minister, “ I would say that the United States as a whole has caused greater economies to be brought into effect than any other country; Legislatures generous to a degree in times of prosperity have found how impossible it is to continue a lavish expenditure in times of depression, and in America we have the spectacle of a country moving from one extreme to another. With a Federal surplus of 183,000,000d0l in 1930 converted into a cumulative deficit of 5,547,078,000d0l by 1933, and with a drop in income tax from 2,410,986,OOOdol in 1930 to 746,000,000d0l in 1933, and a reduction in Customs from 587,000,000d0l to 251,000,000d0l during the same period, together with a huge army of thirteen million unemployed, it will be realised that social services had to come under the axe of economy. In America appropriations"have been reduced to such an extent that the situation in some schools is really critical, much more critical than is commonly realised. In the New York State alone no fewer than 7,000 teachers are unemployed, while those who are fortunate enough to bo employed have suffered heavy reductions in salary, amounting to more than 50 per cent, in many instances. In the secondary schools in the State of Illinois there are thousands of teachers who have not been paid at all for their services, and others again who have received only part payment. This most unfortunate position in regard to unemployment is due to the depression, 30 per-cent, of the teachers being dismissed in some of the States, and to the fact that, as in New Zealand and-other countries, too many teachers have been trained. “ While wo in New Zealand have boon instrumental in reducing the cost of the administration of education, our system still I'emnins intact. In many school systems in the United States all special classes have be'en eliminated, and on the decision of the Office of Education all work has ceased in music, kindergartens, art work, dental work, medical inspection, manual training, and home economics. Conditions in many school areas became so serious during last year that it was necessary to curtail the school .year in many country districts by as much as four months. Over a quarter of a million children are attending school on a part-time basis. This restriction, seems to apply more to the schools in the country, as approximately 8,000 rural schools were forced to close early last year. The cities, however, are not immune, as over 100 city systems have reduced their terms by* twenty days or more. In a recent statement, the Commission of Education said that in this phase of economy the prospects were very much more serious for next year. In the matetr of capital expenditure and attention to repairs and maintenance the system has suffered, and not only have the teachers been starved for equipment, but in some 18,000 rural schools even minor repairs have not been attended to over a lengthy period. “In making these .statements'l have not in any way exaggerated the position. In fact, I could go on at greater length, my information being'gathered from official sources and published statements. It may bo asked why raise the matter? Ido so because there are certain sections of our community which freely express the opinion that New Zealand has gone too far in the matter of economies. It may be informative to them to know that wo have left our system intact, that the children, who, after all, are the para.mount consideration, have not been prejudicially affected, and that our economies are almost wholly the result of the reduction of administration expenses. On the other hand, it must be obvious from a study of the information I have given thnt,_ in addition to the savings on administration, economies have been secured in the United States at the expense of the system, the child, naturally, in that case being the sufferer. “ Educationists in the United States are generally concerned, and are hopeful that before long prosperity will return and assist them to restore the services which have been eliminated. The State, after all, is in exactly the same position as tho_ individual. Spend in ox cess of your income and it is only a matter of time when nothing will remain to he spent.”