CUTTING THE “FRILLS” FROM EDUCATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 88, 5 July 1927, Page 10

CUTTING THE “FRILLS” FROM EDUCATION

MORE ECONOMY MINISTER IS RETICENT (THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Monday. Education promises to be subject to some severe economy during the coming year. It has been suggested the education boards will be eliminated and the administration confined entirely to the department. It is not likely, however, that the economy proposals will go so far, as it is agreed that even with their limited functions the boards do useful work. Where the cut may be felt is in what the Minister recently termed “the frills of education.” It is probable grants for hostels may be reduced, and the sanction of the department to the extension of the work of schools by the inclusion of additional subjects in the curricula will be withheld. There has been a growing practice of technical schools in the cities and in the larger centres extending their courses until they are practically competitors with the high schools. This may be stopped. The Minister declines to commit himself at present, and says that any report concerning his intentions is premature.