CAPITATION GRANT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 118, 15 April 1930, Page 7

CAPITATION GRANT.

CONSIDERED INADEQUATE. WEST END PARENTS PROTEST. The disadvantages of the school grading system, which is the basis of capitation grants, was commented upon at last evening’s annual meeting of householders at the West End School. Mr A. Penketh said that the grading system was unfair in that lower attendances caused through sickness could not be blamed on the committee or staff; yet, as a result, the capitation and grade were reduced. At West End this had occurred and resulted in a decrease of £lO in the grant. He advocated a uniform grant for all town schools of 500 children or over. The upkeep of a school of 500 children was little more than that of a 300-children school. With the grade reduced in a school, it was impossible to get the highest type of headmaster, and the reduced grant imposed on a comimttee the necessity of “going round with the hat.” After paying the cleaner and purchasing fir. ing the West. End Committee had only £3l for the year’s work, and he defied any business concern in Palmerston North to run the school properly on this amount. It was, he considered, high time that a recommendation went to the board urging a larger grant. The chairman (Mr C. H. Whitehead) said that tho Education Board has its regulations and it stuck rigorously to them. It was fortunate that West End was able to retain its grant as long as it had, as there had been several occasions during the year when the attendance had dropped below the requisite average. However, special exemption had been allowed. There was no reason why the grade should not be increased again this year. The secretary (Mr G. K. Hollier) said that three months ago a deputation from the combined schools of Wellington had waited on the Government with a singular request, but ho did not think they had yet received an answer. “You can rest assured,” he added, “that every school is endeavouring to secure a higher capitation allowance.” Mr Penketh: It would strengthen the movement if it were known that the householders were strongly in support. The chairman said that recommendations had been made by schools throughout the Dominion and forwarded to the Government. The matter was by no means being lost sight of. It was decided, on Mr Penketh’s motion, to forward a recommendation to the Government urging an increase in the grant.