THE EXEMPTION STANDARD

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 137, 10 June 1911, Page 5

THE EXEMPTION STANDARD

MUST PASS THE SIXTH,

A WISE PROVISION.

ME. G. J. GARLAND INTERVIEWED.

The decision of the Education Department to raise the standard of exemption from attendance at primary schools from the fifth to a pass in the sixth standard was the subject of an interview on the question by a "Star" representative with Mr. G. J. Garland, chairman of the Education Board, this morning. "The law as it now stands." said Mr. Garland, "requires every child between the ages of seven years and 14 years to attend some public school each time the school is open, or from some other source receive eflicient instruction, children being able to obtain exemption certificates on their satisfying the requirements of the fifth standard in the public schools. That is to say, the fifth standard for a number of years has been the standard of exemption. The fixing of this standard is done by regulation, and hence at any time is subject to amendment or alteration by an Order-in-Council. This is evidently what has happened in the present case, and the standard of exemption in future will be the sixth standard.

"Such a change is certainly a move in the right direction, and will be welcomed by all who have the true interests of education at heart. At the last conference of inspectors held in 1910 at Wellington it was unanimously agreed that, in the interests of the community, as well as in those of the individual, the standard of exemption should be raised. The average age of pupils for the whole of the Dominion at tmhe close of 1! 00 (the last year for which returns are available) was in Standard VI. 13 years 11 months, and in Standard V. 13 years: so that it was possible for pupils, by obtaining exemption in Standard V.. to leave school before entering Standard VI.. and a whole year prior to reaching the exemption age, 14 years.

A LAMENTABLE LEAKAGE. "There is, unfortunately, a lamentable leakage of pupils as they pass through the schools, and this the present exemption standard tends to encourage. In view of these facts, as also of tbe slender know-ledge-equipment possessed by even a Standard VI pupil, we must all admit the necessity of the change proposed by the Department. "This is an age of fierce competition amongst States as well as amongst individuals. All progressive communities have come to realise that not only their prosperity, but their very existence, depends upon training their young people to a high pitch of development. If we in New Zealand are to retain the position we have already won. to say nothing of growing into a strong and prosperous nation, we cannot afford to allow so many of our young people to continue to face the vicissitudes of life with an imperfect .primary school training. It has- been urged that to require pupils to attend school until they pass Standard VI. is largely to deprive parents of the aid of their children's services at a time when help is often sorely needed, and. hence, is unfair to the parents concerned—indeed, such action has been spoken of as 'an unwarrantable interference with the rights of parents.' It is true that under certain circumstances the child's help is a very.real necessity, and that in many cases _considerable sacrifices are'made-by parent 3 ,iv sending their children to school, it is. true, moreover, that parents have certain rights in the matter of their children with which the State would be most unwise to interfere. But. on the other hand, it is equally true that parents have responsibilities, and that children have rights: one of the responsibilities of parents being to provide their children with opportunities for receiving education, and. one of the rights of children being to receive efficient training at the hands of the State. CONTINUATION CLASSES NECESSARY. "In all progressiva communities, the period of childhood—that is, the period during which young people are being trained and equipped for the fuller aud more responsible duties beginning with adulthood—is steadily increasing in length. The necessity for attendance at continuation classes, which has already been made compulsory in some countries, and everywhere is claiming recognition, will ere long demand the serious attention of our people, so that tbe Department's action in raising the standard of exemption is only in keeping with modern development and progress." ''And what attitude do you think the Board will adopt on this question ?" "I do not. think tbe Board will object Ito tbe proposal. It is composed of men 'of sound judgment, who will. I am sure, I prefer to give the matter a trial and watch i results. If any hardship should be found !to develop out of the Minister's proposal, '■■ and a change appear to be desirable, the I Bo?rd will take steps to see the Minister. I But I see no reason why the Board should I interfere, and I feel perfectly certain that my colleagues will feel as I do."