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[S DOCUIIDNT I S THE PROPERTY OF H I S BRITAITNIC 1AJESTY'S GOVERNMENT,,
C A B I N E T .
Copy ;'fo,
7
FEES AND FREE P I ACES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
MEMORANDUM-. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN
REGARD TO C P , 259(53)
a
JB9(32.)
Some of my c o l l e a g u e s w i l l r e m e m b e r t h a t
t h i s matter
it
on A u g u s t 4 t h a n d t h a t
a t a m e e t i n g of t h e f u l l
i t was d e c i d e d
Cabinet
I
mentione
to
discuss
i n t h e middle of
September.
As I e x p l a i n e d t o t h o s e
present
o f my c o l l e a g u e s who w e r e
on A u g u s t 4 t h , my p r e d e c e s s o r
p r o p o s a l s t o an advanced s t a g e .
representatives
had c a r r i e d
He h a d c o n s u l t a t i o n s
of L o c a l A u t h o r i t i e s
a s t o t h e manner
w h i c h t h e c h a n g e m i g h t "be m o s t e a s i l y e f f e c t e d ,
consequence
there
i s now g e n e r a l a n t i c i p a t i o n
a c t i o n w i l l b e t a k e n on t h e s e l i n e s .
reasons
sbated
in the draft
of d i s t r i b u t i n g f r e e
funds,
it
places
be pressed
that
to take
that
early
the present
of
the matter up,
economies,
money c a n b e s a v e d w i t h o u t
our general
edvicational
system.
And i f
in regard to
school fees
an immediate
that
for
system
public
unless
a l l d e p a r t m e n t s would c o n t i n u e
of our p r a c t i c e
i n t r o d u c i n g a "means t e s t "
in
and in
is needlessly wasteful
t o make a l l p o s s i b l e
so, by the r e v i s i o n
with
Although I t h i n k ,
circular,
I might have h e s i t a t e d
h a d seemed l i k e l y
these
this
to
is
secondary
inflicting
d a m a g e on
The a n t i c i p a t e d
s a v i n g by
i n t o t h e a w a r d of f r e e
places
is
s a v i n g i n 1 9 3 3 - 3 4 o f £50,000 t o t h e E x c h e q u e r
a n d £50,000 t o t h e R a t e s .
This saving w i l l
during successive years u n t i l
the full
increase
s a v i n g of £200,000 t o
*) 0
t h e E x c h e q u e r and £ 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 t o t h e H a t e s
fourth
in
the
year.
I t was s u g g e s t e d
in the course
d i s c u s s i o n on A u g u s t 4 t h t h a t
question,
until
it
other Educational
even i f
might be b e t t e r
to defer
and i f
so
and d e s i r a b l e
in addition to
legislation
involve delay.
what,
t o e n f o r c e new a n d
those which a r e
of a v e r y
contentious
subjects
train,
kind,
And my m a i n r e a s o n f o r
forward -without w a i t i n g t o c o n s i d e r any
with regard to education
this
But
r e g u l a t i o n and w h i c h a r e a l r e a d y i n
t h i s would r e q u i r e
must c e r t a i n l y
Cabinet
economies would be found n e c e s s a r y .
economies,
of a d m i n i s t r a t i v e
it
of t h e
could be seen whether any,
i t were p o s s i b l e
substantial
this
is realised
which
bringing
recommendations
t h a t may b e made b y t h e
economy
Committee of t h e L o c a l A u t h o r i t i e s
s e t up b y t h e C h a n c e l l o r
the Exchequer,
d e l a y would e x c l u d e any
is
that
any f u r t h e r
t h e p r o p o s e d s a v i n g from n e x t y e a r ' s
of t h i s
k i n d can be
introduced
it
Budget,
is necessary
should be published
for
c a n b e m a d e , and i t
w i l l be appreciated
are unlikely
form
to formulate
approve
reached before
the
that
their
t h a t Local
schemes u n t i l
end of O c t o b e r
regulations
Authorities
cannot
then he
for
t h e 149 A u t h o r i t i e s
concerned
to prepare t h e i r
for
their
and a p p r o v a l by t h e B o a r d .
Authorities
for
entry
hold t h e i r
into
the
(London has an e x a m i n a t i o n
if
a change of
1933,
system i s to be e f f e c t i v e
must be announced b e f o r e A u t h o r i t i e s
2o
and
and
s i n c e many L o c a l
in the following
in December).
required
This
Scholarship Examinations before
Secondary Schools
what
be
schemes
a p p r o v a l m u s t i n any c a s e b e g i v e n b y t h e 1 s t A p r i l ,
i n many c a s e s w i l l b e r e q u i r e d much e a r l i e r
objections
E v e n i f my
stage
Time w i l l
n
of
scheme
t h e y know i n
approved,
t h e s e p r o p o s a l s now t h i s
consideration
a
40 d a y s , d u r i n g w h i c h p e r i o d
the r e g u l a t i o n s w i l l be f i n a l l y
cwlleagues
Before
of
It
Easter
September
i s obvious
by A p r i l n e x t
have committed
that
it
themselves
o
for
another year to
paragraphs
their
of t h e C i r c u l a r
e x p l a i n i n g more s h o r t l y
are
e x i s t i n g schemes.
The
have t e e n r e d r a f t e d
and i n s i m p l e r
opening
w i t h a view
to
language the changes
that
proposed,
V/hen t h e m a t t e r w a s d i s c u s s e d
the Secretary
position
England
of S t a t e f o r
in Scotland
radically different
to provide free
pupils without
required
if
regard
out t h a t
4th,
the
from t h a t
in
statutory
secondary education t o duly
qualified
t o means, and l e g i s l a t i o n would b e
In the absence
of money a v a i l a b l e
(owing t o the b a s i s
on A u g u s t
are under a
the system were t o be b r o u g h t
t h a t now p r o p o s e d .
grants
Scotland pointed
in that Education Authorities
obligation
amount
is
in Cabinet
for
into conformity
of s u c h l e g i s l a t i o n
education grants
of g r a n t b e i n g c a l c u l a t e d
in
with
the
Scotland
in relation
to
the
f o r E n g l a n d a n d W a l e s ) w o u l d b e r e d u c e d b y some , 5 2 7 , 0 0 0 ,
w h i l e t h e E d u c a t i o n A u t h o r i t i e s would remain u n d e r t h e i r
present
obligation.
I recognise
Scotland
suggest
it
the difficulty
i s p l a c e d b y my p r o p o s a l , b u t
that
if
on g e n e r a l
is unreasonable
that
consequential ultimate
total
i n which f o r
general
anticipated
I would none t h e
less
approval,
t h e Exchequer should be d e t e r r e d by
loss
aid grant)
t o S c o t l a n d of £ 2 7 , 0 0 0
( o u t of
in the Education
from t h e r e a l i s a t i o n
of
s a v i n g o n E n g l a n d a n d W a l e s of £ 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 ,
E x c h e q u e r and £ 2 0 0 , 0 0 0
reason
g r o u n d s my p r o p o s a l d e s e r v e s
a m o u n t of £ 6 , 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 a v a i l a b l e
Fund f o r
this
to the
a
(Scotland)
an
to
Rates,
I.
August 25th,
the
1932.
the
BOARD
OF
EDUCATION.
Circular
No.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
1.
Enclosed herewith are revised
Secondary
Schools.
In r e v i s i n g
have f e l t bound t o t a k e a c c o u n t
draft
the Regulations
of
any r e g a r d
wasteful
to the
to public funds,
now g e n e r a l l y
by p u b l i c
given
accepted,
and r u n s
candidates.
are frequently
can a f f o r d
to
cost
criticisms
offer
for poor parents
assistance
of
the
often bear but
t o what
a
and
parents
t o meet
as
to
maintain
and
Governors
their
children
and have f o r
i s now t h e c a s e ,
these
concerned
to obtain for
education,
a proportion,
in a school are f i l l e d
successful
candidates
t h e new R e g u l a t i o n s
continue
made
this
purpose
t o have regard t o
-
j
conditions.
At p r e s e n t
while places
principle,
of t h e e d u c a t i o n p r o v i d e d ,
a scheme d e s i g n e d
of s e c o n d a r y
varying local
the places
without
needlessly
of any
charged
The
awards are
which Local Education A u t h o r i t i e s
it necessary,
3.
The f e e s
(a)
schools
circumstances
the Board have been p r i n c i p a l l y
the benefits
thought
the
that
to the
t h e amount
Board
pay.
the f a c i l i t i e s
at present
counter
for
\vhich h a v e
t o pay i s
not adequate having regard
In formulating
2.
pupils
(b)
to the
secondary
t h a t where e d u c a t i o n a l
should vary a c c o r d i n g t o
small proportion
viz.,
of t h e p a r e n t s
or quasi-public bodies
successful
the
capacity
to
the
two c r i t i c i s m s
r e c e n t l y b e e n made w i t h i n c r e a s i n g f o r c e ,
sjrstem of a d m i t t i n g p u p i l s f r e e
Regulations
to be f i l l e d
successful
by c o m p e t i t i v e
charged
to he c a l l e d
in a l l
special
by open c o m p e t i t i o n ,
in the
of
examination,
a t which are admitted f r e e .
fees w i l l be
(in future
and sometimes t h e w h o l e ,
Under
schools
places)
will
the parents
competition w i l l be expected
and
of
to
pay
the
school fee,
e x c e p t where t h e i r
circumstances
r e m i s s i o n e i t h e r wholly or in p a r t ,
new R e g u l a t i o n s
places
contemplate
to be offered
of f r e e
to expect
that
for
conditions
the
special
for
for each a d d i t i o n a l
effect.
to the p a r t i c u l a r
and t h e r a t e
5,
of f e e
Again,
consider
that
child,
reasonable
They
of £ 3 t o
p l u s an
and G o v e r n o r s ,
a fee
of l e s s
increases
is
proposal
the
standard, but
to look for
in future
arrangements
some r e d u c t i o n
of f e e s
to
is the
some
at
year;
present
approve
that
may p r o p e r l y
for
pupils
include
o v e r 16 who
the fee
the
a preparatory department
charged
to pupils
school fee
o r 15
in
t
that
guineas,
higher.
The B o a r d a r e a w a r e o f t h e p r o b l e m s p r e s e n t e d b y
particularly
they
Examination.
contains
should be e i t h e r
for
have
than 9 guineas,
t h e Board c o n s i d e r
6.
forward
question
a t p r e s e n t b e l o w 15 g u i n e a s a
ordinarily hesitate
Yvhere a s c h o o l
whichever
scheme
in e x i s t i n g f e e s ,
t o l a y down a n y u n i f o r m
h a v e p a s s e d an a p p r o v e d F i r s t
department
addition
charged.
Where s o d e s i r e d
provision for
£4
they w i l l
of t h e a r e a i n
i t would be n o t u n r e a s o n a b l e
they w i l l
fees
contemplate
and w h i l e r e g a r d must n e c e s s a r i l y be had t o t h e f e e s
charged,
of
or any a l t e r n a t i v e
circumstances
to be
i n c r e a s e where t h e f e e
number
In c o n s i d e r i n g p r o p o s a l s put
sis r e g a r d s
B o a r d do n o t d e s i r e
to the
an income l i m i t
approval by Local A u t h o r i t i e s
regard
the
remission
a week i n t h e c a s e of a f a m i l y w i t h one c h i l d ,
s ,d.
having equivalent
of
special
i t would n o t be
the whole c o u n t r y .
complete exemption from f e e s
of 1 0 / -
its
offered.
that
should be uniform f o r
for
t h e n u m b e r of
The B o a r d r e c o g n i s e
the
The p r o v i s i o n s
i n any a r e a w i l l be s i m i l a r
places at present
4,
that
justify
obtaining
increased
in the absence
fee
income from e x i s t i n g
of a s o l u t i o n
of any
legal
any
pupils
clifficulties
w h i c h may b e
exigencies
of t h e
reasonably
consider
already
fees,
in the
involved, but
time they think t h a t
the propriety
schools
admitted after
1st April
w i s h t o c o n s i d e r how
r e v i e w of i n i t i a l
authorities
provision
pupils
increased
In t h e case of
1933, a u t h o r i t i e s
far
of
1933, t o pay the
t o do s o .
financial
may
of a s k i n g p a r e n t s
on 1 s t A p r i l
where t h e y can a f f o r d
in view of t h e
pupils
and Governors
s h o u l d b e made f o r
awards where t h e r e
i s a change
will
the
in the
parents'
-
circumstances.
7
It
0
is not proposed
that
the arrangements referred
above should n o r m a l l y
apply to schools
grant,
in such schools are
high,
since
the fees
and v a r i a t i o n s
of f e e
and f e e - p a y i n g p u p i l s
t h e Board t o
such s c h o o l s .
schools
relating
in r e c e i p t
the grant
Provision will
for
a continuance
to fees
and f r e e
of d i r e c t
grant,
of
subject
in the case
of any e n t r a n c e
fee
to be a p p r o p r i a t e
8
a
If
as
financial
of
on t h e 1 s t
proposals
of a u t h o r i t i e s ,
of d i r e c t
April
is
important
and,
of
the
schools
not
t h e Board n o t l a t e r
their
where n e c e s s a r y ,
than
hope t h a t
early
in
into
that
should be submitted for
the matter
and
arrangements
to be brought
The B o a r d a c c o r d i n g l y
and G o v e r n o r s w i l l g i v e
both individually
of
as
awarded by
the t u i t i o n fee
and of G o v e r n o r s
grant,
e x a m i n a t i o n and a p p r o v a l
1st January 1933.
1935, i t
that
circumstances.
t h e new a r r a n g e m e n t s a r e
operation
in receipt
s h a l l be t r e a t e d
i s determined under approved
to his
of
to a proviso
he h o l d s a s c h o l a r s h i p
such p a r t
be
existing
t h e award of a f r e e
an a u t h o r i t y which covers
by
accordingly
candidate
if
free
payable
of t h e
places
relatively
of
t h e a d m i s s i o n of a q u a l i f i e d
place
direct
in general
the proportion
do n o t a f f e c t
made i n t h e R e g u l a t i o n s
provisions
o r of
in receipt
to
the
the
authorities
consideration
consultation.