UNDER-AGE CHILDREN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 140, 15 June 1932, Page 8

UNDER-AGE CHILDREN.

ADMISSION TO SCHOOL

PARENT MAKES REQUEST,

" DEFEATING THE REGULATION."

Children under the age of six years who, under the new Government regulations, are not eligible to be enrolled at primary schools, were again under discussion by the Auckland . Education Board at its meeting this morning.

The subject came up when a letter was received from a parent asking for permission for his five-year-old son to be admitted to school, and offering to pay a reasonable fee. It was decided to inform the parent that the board was not at liberty to accept a fee.

"The Minister informed me last week that he was not in favour of under-age children being allowed to attend school or being enrolled," said the chairman, Mr. A. Burns. "He said that such a practice woulc. defeat the object of the new regulation."

Mr. S. B. Sims said that he did not see that the board should be influenced by the Minister's opinion.

Mr. H. S. W. King said that the board should come to some definite decision in the matter. It had been said that if the board gave teachers an instruction to admit under-age children, if no overcrowding resulted, trouble would follow, but he thought the board should endeavour to help parents if the board thought the principle was right. There were many country schools where the infant departments were not overcrowded. He agreed with the Minister that the raising of the school age would not have any ill effect on the child, but he thought it was a pity if the board could not help the parents. He moved that headmasters should be informed that they were allowed to admit under-age children provided the school accommodation was not overcrowded.

Mr. E. C. Banks: If you admit one child you will have to admit the lot.

Mr. T. U. Wells said that if the board adopted Mr. King's motion it would be placing itself in a false position. The board should not go against the Minister's expressed opinion. Mr. Purdie supported Mr. Wells' opinion. Mr. King: I think members are in sympathy with parents and that our views should be made public. Mr. Burns: It would be defiance for us to issue a definite instruction to teachers. Discussion lapsed when Mr. Kin" withdrew his motion. °