KEEP THEM AT SCHOOL

Te Ao Hou, Winter 1954, Page 15

KEEP THEM AT SCHOOL Last March the Department of Maori Affairs started its “Keep them at School” campaign in Maori communities. All Tribal Committees and Executives were told, through the Welfare Officers, that the Government would in future subsidize moneys for educational purposes. Students' clothes, books and equipment, travelling expenses and part of the school board charges have all become eligible for subsidies under the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act. Previously the government had encouraged scholarship funds only on a national basis, such as the Ngarimu Scholarship which may be held by any Maori in the country. This ensured that the money went to the ablest, wherever they might live. The Maoris are, however, in rather special circumstances. As matters stand, every Maori boy or girl who reaches school certificate standard represents an important gain in the struggle for progress. Better education means better jobs, better homes and often also better lives. Now there is no doubt that lack of money often abruptly ends the education of a very promising boy or girl. It may be fees, or books, or clothing that have to be bought at a moment when the money is just not available. What then? Maori leaders have long felt that the only answer to that question lies in local help given by the tribal organizations. It had often been said that if tribal organizations had the means to help children and parents over such difficult moments, far more Maori students would get a good secondary and even a university education. For this reason the Government was asked to subsidize moneys raised by tribal committees and executives for educational purposes. This was not an easy decision to make. Where public money is spent, there should be safeguards against abuse—not only by strong, monied groups but also by individual families on behalf of their own children. The Government nevertheless decided to give the scheme a chance. The first year's programme is a cautious one, the amount of subsidy allocated to this scheme being limited to £2,000. If the scheme proves a practical one, this amount may be increased later. The £2,000 is to be

allocated to Maori Land Court Districts on a population basis. To the committees and executives this is an important new responsibility. It is now for them to see that as many children as possible stay at school. All their influence must be exerted to see that boys and girls do not leave school until their education is properly finished. That is the most important thing. But there is also the practical side to attend to: the department has stipulated that all money raised by the local organizations for this scheme must come from voluntary and combined efforts of the people themselves. Money-raising functions have to be held. Once the funds are collected all the wisdom and experience of local leaders will be needed to distribute the grants to the most deserving cases and in prudent amounts.