"LEGAL ATTENDANCE."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 286, 27 August 1908, Page 3

"LEGAL ATTENDANCE."

; DISCUSSION BY TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD. (BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL" OOEEESPOMDENT.) New Plymouth, August 26. . Tho Wellington' Education Board's circular regarding "legal attenders," or children who systematically attended school only to the extent made compulsory by law, came bofore the Taranaki. Education Board to-day, and the Chairman (Mr. James Wade) reported that he had writteu concurring with tho suggestion to urge the Minister to introduco a clause making full attendance compulsory. Ho said that there was at the present time a largo number of people trying to escape sending their children to school. Ho felt sure the parents knew perfectly well they ought to send their children to school, and that for any reasonable excuse ' they could obtain exemption.' He had often been told by. parents: "I have a right to keep my children away on one day every week." Mr. Kennedy dissented on.the ground that the proposed regulation was too drastic, and .'an undue interference with the liberty of tho subject. Ho considered that some good .would be done by amending , legislation making the compulsory attendance . clauses not binding upon children residing more than .three miles from a school instead of two miles as at present. It was but fair that ; thcro should bo one school day in tho week on which parents might keep their boy or girl away from school without having to chase .round after tho Chairman for an exemption certificate. . Mr. Faull thought attendanco would bo moro regular if. peoplo paid directly for their children's education. The Chairman's action was confirmed.