W.E.A. NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 940, 9 December 1933, Page 29 (Supplement)

W.E.A. NOTES.

(Contributed.) Ever since the commencement of the W.E.A. both in-Britain and in New Zealand, students have been discovered among the wage-earning class who were capable of undertaking a university course. The officials of the movement soon decided that if such students were given a university education they would be of greater service to their own social organisations and to the community. That is they could be trained to become leaders in their own organisations, and consequently increase the rate of social progress. The method adopted for such

students to proceed to the universities was the institution of a number of bursaries. In Britain these bursaries are mad's possible by grants from various trust funds and from trade unions. The system was adopted first in New Zealand by the Auckland W.E.A. and the local university college in 1923. The first W.E.A. bursar is now a lecturer in the Otago University. Canterbury adopted this idea in 1931. and at present two bursars are in training in Canterbury College. Both students are making good progress with their studies, and the first will sit for his degree next year. The interest tak*en in the bursary by the W.E.A. students is shown by the fact that there arte nine applicants this session, two women and seven men. The committee will make its decision possibly next week. If an applicant is accepted there will be three W.E.A. students at college next year. The W.E.A. bursary is made possible through the generosity of the Canterbury College Board of Governors. Although the W.E.A. summer schools have b<ten organised since 1920, there are quite a few people under the impression that W.E.A. students only are permitted to attend.. This is not so. because the purpose of the summer school is to stimulate an interest in educational and social subjects people who do not attend W.P..A. classes. They may not attend classes through lack of time or through the inaccessibility of classes. During the holiday period both of these obstacles can be* overcome. Already there are ovter fifty applicants for the school. Most of these are from Christchurch, but others are from Invercargill. Dunedin Oamaru. Tlmaru. Hangiora and WtellingThe psychology class will meet for the final lecture for this year on Monday evening, when Mr J. Stout will eive a talk on “ tension." Any person interested is invited to atttend. :: :j » The official wind-up of the social evenings will take place to-night. Mrs T Dunlop will present the programme, which will consist of musical and vocal Items, exhibitions of dancing and elocutionary items. Ballroom dancing will also be organised.