ECONOMY IN EDUCATION

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 17 November 1932, Page 7

ECONOMY IN EDUCATION

REPLIES TO DEPUTATION

MINISTER’S EXPLANATION

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 16

Replying to questions raised by a deputation from the School Committees’ Association, the Hon. R. Masters, minister of Education, pointed out that the Government had not adopted several recommendations of the National Expenditure Commission designed to reduce grants to committees. Dealing with the abolition of the 5s weekly boarding allowance to children away from home during the week Mr. Masters said the financial position made that necessary. There had been no interference with free rail tickets for primary children. Capitation, he said, was a big issue The question was whether a different system, based on occupied floor space instead of average attendance, should be adopted. The matter was under consideration.

Form three classes had already been established in a number of primary schools, and lie had no objection to their being extended if that was desired. With regard to the grouping of proficiency examinations, specific instructions had been given that there was to be no hardship in the matter of travelling.

On the question of raising the school age Air. Masters said there was a division of opinion, hut the weight of evidence was against youngsters entering. He was led to believe from those who understood the position that no child should receive formal lessons before he was mentally six years old. Mr. Masters, in reply to a deputation which asked that euchre parties should be allowed as a means of raising school funds, suggested that the proper way out was to introduce a private member’s Bill to amend the Gaming Act. - (