Education Matters.

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 1428, 28 February 1911, Page 2

Education Matters.

Some important enactments dealing with the education of the young were passed by the Legislature during last session. Chief amongst these was the compulsory attendance. clause, whicli forbids any child between the ages of seven and fourteen from aosenting himself or herself from school during any school day, unless a certificate has been obtained from a doctor or school official. A knowledge of this regulation is rapidly spreading throughout the Dominion, and naturally so, seeing that there is a swift and sure penalty awaiting delinquents, at least so far as this district is concerned. Another regulation, even less well known, is that dealing with the compulsory attendance at evening continuation classes of i youths and girls who have left school at the age of fourteen and gone to work. The provisions of this regulation are as little known as they are understood, and it is well that the way should be made plain as quickly as possible.,. Briefiy, the provisions are these: In any school district those children between the ages of fourteen to seventeen who have left school may be compelled to attend continuation classes held in the evening. Before the regulation can be put in force, it has to receive the support of the Primary School Committee in cnargc of the educational work of the town or district. The committee may make a recmmendafciou to the Education Board, which body wu. then put the regulation into operation. The continuation classes are to be under the control of the technical School of the district. A misapprehension already exists regarding the enforcing of this regulation. The Wanganui Education Board has the matter in hand, and at its recent meeting arranged to communicate with the school committees to ascertain the intentions of the latter bodies. For this the Board lias been condemned as trying to shirk its responsibilities, and of being afraid of rousing the ire of the residents ol the different towns of its district by bringing the regulations into force. As a matter of fact, when the clause dealing with this matter was before the House, there was a good deal of strong opposition shown to it, and it was only agreed to when the proviso was inserted that the matter should.be left entirely to the .school Committees, so that the Boards could not force it on an unwilling community. Already in part of the Auckland Education Board's district the provision has been adopted. The Wanganui Board will probahiy suggest that ail the school committees in Feilding should hold a conference to discuss the subject and come to a definite decision, which will govern it so far as Feilding is concerned. No one need feel scared over the new provision. The word "compulsory" may look oppressive to some people, but it may be added that there are many exemptions under the regulations. It is a wise enactment, and, if Avisely administered, as no doubt it will be, should more than justify its existence. Employers may be looked to to encourage the youths in their service to take advantage of the evening classes, and the community itself may be gradually educated to look on the regulation as not only nob objectionable, but necessary and wise.