SAVINGS IN EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21049, 7 December 1931, Page 10

SAVINGS IN EDUCATION.

THOUGHT FOR TAXPAYER. MINISTER DEFENDS POLICY. CLOSING OF SMALLER SCHOOLS. [by TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday. In an interview at Stratford in reply to criticisms of economies by teachers in Taranaki, the Minister of Education, the Hon. R. Masters, said the Education Department was not being singled out in the matter of economies, but, in common with other departments, items of expenditure were under review with the object of effecting savings wherever possible. That step was essential if increased taxation was to be avoided. "It is significant," the Minister declared, " that the critics first of all Tefer to a matter affecting teachers and not children—the withdrawal of the remote allowances for teachers. This allowance was introduced some years ago with the object of encouraging certificated teachers to go into the country, but the necessity does not exist at the present time owing to the fact that trained teachers have gradually displaced those who are uncertificated, and many of tho former are occupying positions in tho country, even in small grade O schools where the attendance does not exceed nine pupils. It is absurd to say that the withdrawal of the remote allowance will result in many country children being deprived of the advantages of a good teacher." Mr. Masters said tho appointment of relieving teachers had not been dispensed with, although it was true that the number had been reduced as a measure of economy. However, they were still being employed in strict accordance with the regulations, which provided that no relieving teacher should be appointed to a grade 1 school (9 to 20 children) for less than a'period of two complete weeks, and, in the case of grade 2 schools (21 to 35 children), for less than one week. Those were only small schools, aim, although it was to be regretted that more liberal arrangements could not be made on the score of cost, instances of schools being closed were few and far between. In referring to the proposed closing of the smaller grade of schools, Mr. Masters said the beneficial contact between teacher and child did not enter into the question in view of the fact that in the schools likely to be affected instruction was imparted by the mother or some other member of the family belonging to a small household school. The suggestion that the country child was to be made tho chopping block of economy was too ludicrous to call for comment. With regard to the school dental service, the department had no information to the effect that there was to be no further development in dental clinics, as had been alleged. The matter was one that came within the province of the Minister of Health, and Mr. Masters said he would certainly bring the statement under the notice of his colleague. It was correct that capitation in respect of manual training had been reduced, but investigation showed that all boards had accumulated credit balances which, together with the amount now granted, would enable them to continue instruction. As a matter of fact, some of the boards had advised the department that they would be able to maintain the existing facilities with little or no inconvenience. SMALL SCHOOLS IN COUNTRY. FARMERS OPPOSE CLOSING. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Sunday. An emphatic protest against tho proposal to close certain of the small schools in tho country districts and substitute correspondence courses for the children, was embodied in a resolution carried at a meeting of tho Waikato sub-provincial branch of the Farmers' Union in Hamilton. The president, Mr. J. H. Furniss, said strong action should be taken to prevent the step proposed. It would bo a disgraceful state of affairs if the responsibility of educating children in rural communities was thrown upon the parents.