EDUCATION BILL

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 79, 30 September 1914, Page 8

EDUCATION BILL

• COMMITTEE'S AMENDMENTS. The Education Committee of the House of Representatives presented its report on the Hon. J. Allen's Education Bill this afternoon. The main alterations suggested by the Committee were outlined by the Chairman (Mr. G. M. Thomson). The Minister's proposals as to the establishment of an Advisory Council of Education and also District Councils have been retained with a few minor alterations as to departmental and other representation on these bodies. The most important suggestion made by the Committee deals with the Minister's proposal concerning the re-definition of the boundaries of educational districts and the consequent reduction in the number of the education boards. The original schedule has been deleted by the Committee, and it is now proposed that "there shall be eight or nine education districts which shall be determined by the Governor on the report of a Commission to be set up on that behalf." Provision has been made for a reversion to the old system of electing members oV boards in urban school districts by School Committees. As regards the powers of School Committees, it is proposed that these bo given power to grant the use of school buildings outside of school hours for the purposes of moral and religious instruction. An important amendment was proposed in respect of compulsory attendance at continuation classes, a provision being made for the prevention of pupils deliberately and habitually misbehaving so as to avoid attendance. The onus is thrown on parents, subject to investigation before a Magistrate, who may require parents to enter into a bond for the good behaviour of refractory pupils. Tho Minister's proposals as to the centralisation of the inspectorate are retained, but it is recommended that salaries be placed up to the scale of the professional class under the Public Service Act. i In regard to the schedule of the Bill which deals with the grading and staffing of schools, it is now recommended that assistants, both in mixed schools and I separate schools, be placed in a higher grade. This meets the provision asked for by women teachers. ,