National Educational Economies

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6833, 14 April 1932, Page 3

National Educational Economies

EFFECT ON AGRICULTURAL TRAINING. FEILDING SCHOOL FAVOURS ACCREDITING SYSTEM. At the monthly meeting of the Board of Managers of tho Feilding Agricultural High School last evening a brief discussion took place on tho proposed national education economies. This discussion arose out of tho correspondence received from tho president of the Technical Education Association, Invercargill, the Board of Governors of the Wanganui Girls’ College and the Technical School Teachers’ Association, all representing points in regard to tin proposed economics. • Mr. J. S. Tingey did not consider it vras worth while entering any protest as protests ha.d already been made and these covered well nigh every item of the proposals. There was no donut tnat the intention was to narrow the breadth of education and the narrow view of the recommendations should not be adopted. Unless there was any new point he did not think it necessary to take any action. Mr. A. H. Atkinson said that public opinion must express itself and the Lrovernment was no doubt anxious to hear every view. Ho moved that a committee comprising Messrs Tingey and Mclntyre and the principal (Mr. L. J. Wild) be set up to deal with any questions arising and if necessary represent the opinion of the board to the Minister of Education.

The principal then stated that when the recommendations first came out he appreciated the serious difficulties that would arise if the accrediting system was eliminated as far as agricultural pupils were concerned, and he had taken an early opportunity of representing the position to the Minister. Mr. Tingey said that in view of that he would move that the Minister be again written to pointing out this anomaly. Tho meeting supported this resolution and also that of Mr. Atkinson with regard to the setting up of a committee to deal with any other points in the recommendations of the national education economies.

The Principal’s Views. In the course of his report the principal had the following to say on the report:

“The chief topic of interest at the moment in the educational world is the National Expenditure (Economy) Commission’s Report in so far as it is expected to affect the educational system. I doubt whether discussion of the report is worth while. The commission is a commission of business men, so that, no doubt its findings will satisfy, for a time at least, that section of the public that for some timo lias been clamouring for an overhaul of the system by business men. Moreover the commission’s work is to find avenues for reducing expenditure in every direction possible, so it. is not much use trying to reason with them or with the Government that finds it necessary to appoint national expenditure commissions to report on expenditure by itself. The uncertainty of the position at the moment is illustrated by the fact that the Government has for this year permitted the return to school on free places even of those who at the end of last year failed to obtain them, while tho National Expenditure (Economy) Committee is recommending that no senior freo places shall be granted for next year except by examination conducted by the Department; and further that senior free places shall be tenable only till the holder attains the age of 17 instead of till the age of 19 as at present. At present a largo number of those who left at the end of last year are unemployed, and their ranks will be very greatly swelled under the proposed change. Evidently this fact is being recognised, however, as the new unemployment taxation is cr. l ' luted as I understand, to produce ior •this year about as much as will be spent on education.

“ When the changes proposed are put into force it will make a considerable difference to our school roll. At the present time the roll is 255. Of these about 50 will bo over 17 during the year, and under the conditions proposed for next year, would be called ou to pay fees. I doubt if half these would be willing or able to do so. There will ho others who will fail tho examination; and will also leave school. A smaller roll means a smaller staff and tho question must then be faced whether the school can continue to carry the variety of courses at present offered.”