MAORI EDUCATION

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4961, 27 February 1937, Page 5

MAORI EDUCATION

MORE SCHOLARSHIPS. TRAINING OF GIRLS. Under regulations gazetted on Thursday night a larger number of junior scholarships will be available I for Maori boys and girls attending Native schools. Maori pupils at postprimary schools are also to be given other increased facilities under the same regulations. In 1936 the Prime Minister (the Hon. M."J. Savage) called a conference of all those intimately concerned with the health and education of the Maoris. One of the conclusions arrived at was that the facilities of Maori boys and girls should be increased. Various avenues were explored and resolutions submitted for the consideration of the Government. The Minister of Education (the Hon. P. Fraser) has approved of a substantial increase in the number of junior scholarships available for Maori boys and girls attending Native schools, and 174 of these scholarships are now available, an increase of 38. Junior scholarships are tenable for two years at approved postprimary schools catering for the education of the Maori. In the case of "other than Native school" scholarships, which are available for Maori boys and girls attending public and private schools, the number has been increased from eight to 15 per annum. As these scholarships are tenable for two years, the actual number of "other than Native school" scholarships available is 14 (16 increased to 30). Agricultural Scholarships. Of agricultural scholarships, tenable for two years, the total number has been increased from four to 10, and provision has been made to ensure that those to whom such scholarships are awarded shall have completed a satisfactory two years' postprimary course. Similar facilities for the special training of girls, in the form of nursing scholarships, have been approved by the Minister. Instead of proceeding to their training in hospitals after a two years' post-primary course, as has been the custom, provision is now made for the award of five nursing scholarships annually which will provide a third and fourth year of post-primary education, at the conclusion of which the Maori girls will be admitted to hospitals as probationers.

Mr. Fraser has approved also of the award of 35-continuation scholarships, tenable for two years by Maori boys and girls who have satisfactorily completed a two years' post-primary course. This provision makes it possible for the Maori boys and girls, especially in remote districts, to receive an education from the primary school to the university.