COST OF EDUCATION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1293, 5 April 1918, Page 4

COST OF EDUCATION.

To the Editor of THE SUN. Sir, —After gaining a free place at the West Christchurch District High School, it costs a pupil over £2 for books for the commercial course. Now, the pupils are told they are to fetch 5/- each for the wear and tear of the typewriters, besides 2/- for cooking, and the term only commenced. Just now, with the high cost of living, etc., how am I and a lot of other workers getting on? There are only a few typewriters, and 5/- from each pupil (about 60) makes me think it would be better for them to apprentice themselves to learning to repair typewriters.—l am, LABOURER. [The above letter was referred to Mr Waller, headmaster of the West Christchurch School. He states that the books for the commercial course cost 61/-, and, with very little additional cost, last a pupil throughout the three years’ course. The 5 - chargcd for the use of typewriters is a usual charge that has been In vogue for years, and has to keep in repair and provide for replacement of twelve typewriters. The 2/- cooking charge is also' a usual charge, to cover cost of material. To lessen the expense as much as possible the teachers secured all the second-hand books they could get from pupils leaving, and sold these at cost to such pupils - as desired them. —Ed. The Sun.]