£—3

3. Post-primary Education The changes in post-primary education have been just as far-reaching as those in primary education. In 1931 the only assistance given by the Government was by means of a system of scholarships, tenable for two years only, at a number of residential colleges established by different Churches. Maori pupils were, of course, entitled to attend public post-primary schools within reasonable distance of their homes, and many did so, but the great majority of our Maori schools are in more remote areas, and unless a pupil succeeded in winning a scholarship he had little chance of receiving a higher education. Even in 1931, though 170 scholarships were available over a two-year period, only 140 were being used, the qualification then being a pass in the Proficiency Certificate Examination. The Church colleges have had an excellent influence, and until recent years were mainly responsible for the higher education of the Maori. Our school population, however, has grown so rapidly that not only were all scholarships taken up, but there was a demand for more. The number was extended, but still more were required, and the residential accommodation of all colleges was fully taxed. The following table gives a brief review of the number of junior scholarships available over a two-year period, and their value. The years are those in which changes were made :

Two years of secondary education, however, was insufficient qualification for any position with reasonable prospects of advancement, and many Maori parents did pay for the further education of their sons and daughters. In 1937 the Government approved the award of a limited number of continuation scholarships to provide for a third and fourth year of post-primary education. The number allotted over a two-year period was 35, and 5 nursing scholarships and 5 agricultural scholarships brought the total to 45. In 1941 the number of continuation scholarships was increased to 80, and would have been still further increased had accommodation been available. By 1937 we were faced with the position that about 400 Maori pupils were passing through Form II annually, whereas we were able to provide less than 100 scholarships. This meant, in effect, that less than 25 per cent, of our pupils were able to go on to secondary schools, and of this 25 per cent, only about one-quarter could get a third and fourth year. As numbers continued to increase, we were forced into the position of restricting scholarships to those schools where the pupils could not attend an accessible post-primary school. Then in 1942 we lost St. Stephen's and Wesley Colleges (both boys' schools), which, owing to war necessities were taken for other purposes. The authorities at Te Aute did their best to take as many of these boys as possible, but could not take the full number. I visited all public secondary schools in the North Island with hostel accommodation for boys, and eventually secured a limited number of places at Gisborne, Napier, New Plymouth, Feilding, and Dannevirke. These high schools were at once approved for Maori scholarships, and the full boarding fees were paid. These places are still retained, and here is very keen competition for scholarships at these schools.

5

— Number. Value. Up to 1904 113 £20. 1905 123 £20. 1910 134 £20. 1911 150 £20. 1919 150 £30. 1928 170 £30. 1937 187 £35. 1946 200 £55 (boys) and £50 (girls).