CO129-629-8 Social policy 1-12-1949 - 31-12-1951 — Page 132

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(There is an interesting Memo. on teacher training by the Director of Education behind (6) on 53541/2/49.)

Education

No new schools have been built since the war;

efforts have been concentrated on rebuilding and

restoration in view of the heavy damage suffered in

the war. At the end of 1948 some 110,000 children

were at school, which is roughly the same total as in

1941; but within this figure there has been an

increase in attendance at Government and Government-

aided schools, which maintain a good standard, and

a decrease in attendance at private schools, most of

which are badly run in unsuitable premises.

Teacher Training

The Northcote Training College and Rural

Training College train teachers for urban and rural

schools respectively. The latter, which turns out

25 teachers a year, is a post-war innovation. The

former has recently reached its 1941 capacity of

125 students; until now, numbers were restricted by

shortage of suitable candidates consequent on wartime

cessation of education.

The University has 516 students now, exactly the same number as in 1940 (1941 figures are lost);

its development plans are at present under

discussion.

(This note has been seen by the Educational

Advisers.)

Hollall 21/10

A