EDUCATION BILL

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 October 1921, Page 5

EDUCATION BILL

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. . INCULCATION OF LOYALTY.. (Special to tho Star.) WELLINGTON, Oct 26. The principal clause in the Education Amendment Bill introduced by the Governor-General's message, m the House to-night, provides that teachers in any public school, secondary or technical school, who have not previously taken an oath of allegiance shall do so. The terms of the, oath shall be that teachers will not be concerned in any manner, or directly or indirectly in any act, that would be disloyal to his Alajosfy the King i[ committed by a subject of his Majesty. After the next elections, school committees in urban school districts will be abolished.

The provision that an Education Board shall meet at least once in each month is proposed to be abolished. Education boards shall not expend money out of a rebuilding fund without prior consent of the Minister for Education. Any money in a rebuilding fund not immediately required for rebuilding, shall be temporarily invested in approved securities. The unauthorised expenditure of education Boards, secondary and technical school beards, is to be limited to pne per cent, of the Board's income, ami must not exceed £5O per annum in the case of an education board, and £25 in the case of other bodies.

The Bill makes provision for tho establishment of special classes in connection with public schools, or as special schools, for children who through physical infirmity, absence from school, or other circumstances, require special tuition.

New clauses are provided for the registration and annual inspection of private schools. No private schools shall be established after the passing of the Act unless tin' Director of Education is satisfied that the premises, staff, equipment ami circulation aiv satisfactory. The definition of ‘’efficient’’ includes a provision that the instruction is as efficient as in a public school of the same class, ami that suitable provision be made for the inculcation in the minds of pupils <d sentiments of patriotism ami lovaltv. The Director of Education has power to cancel the registration of any vate school which ceases to be efficient .

New provisions relating to teachers appointments provide that unless a transfer is made without increase of the salary, the appointment must be advertised, and that except in the case of first permanent appointment of teachers, or any special case approved bv tlm Diie-tor of Education on tho recommendation of a Board, no teacher shall he eligible for appointment to anv vacant position unless one year has expired from the date of his last

]iermanent appointment. The Bill provides that national scholarships shall be made available, for children resident in Cook Islands, or Western Samoa, and must be held in New Zealand. I’roperty vented in Education Boards is to be exempt from local body laws to the same extent as property o| the Crown.