EDUCATION BILL

Grey River Argus, 23 October 1936, Page 2

EDUCATION BILL

PROFICIENCY EXAMS Being Abolished (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, October 21. The permanent restoration of the school admission age to five years, and the abolition of proficiency examination after September 30 next year, are the principal feature of the Education Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House to-day. The minimum age for school admission was raised from five years to six years by the Finance Act, 1932, but the re-admission of five-year-olds was permitted this year. A clause in the new bill restores the five-year-old basis as from January 1 this year. The Bill also lays it down that the proficiency examination shall not bo held at any time after September 30 next year, and that no certificates of proficiency or competency are to be issued after that date. As from February 1, 1938 the standard of qualification will be laid down by the regulations. Children who have attained the age of 13, and have completed their work in accordance with this standard may then leave the primary school and the use of proficiency certificate for entry to secondary school will be replaced by a provision that a child must be qualified in accordance with the regulations. In effect, the Bill provides for straight-out granting of free places for secondary and technical education, and there is also an arrangement by which children who have not qualified for admission to a secondary school can be admitted to a lower department. Orders-in-Council fixing the basis of computation of grants to education boards and amending the regulations relating to training colleges are validated by the Bill. Authority is given for payment of honoraria to the chairmen of education boards with a maximum in each case of £l5O a year, and a total maximum in any one year of £7BO. Previously the limits were £lOO individually and £5OO in the aggregate.

Education Boards are empowered to expend money out of special funds for the maintenance or improvements of school grounds, and payments of this description already made are validated.

Provision is made for special classes for infirm children to be conducted in private homes. Authority is given for the making of regulations prescribing salaries and allowances for student teachers and part time teachers in technical schools. Regulations affecting the current year may be made retrospective to February 1. New provisions are to apply to the appointment of teachers to fill advertised positions. It is provided that no appointment which involves an increase in salary of the person appointed is to be made unless the position has been advertised. Before making an appointment the Education Board concerned must consult, with the Senior Inspector regarding qualifications of applicants. Another clause provides that officers of the public service engaged as teachers in the education service may be placed under the control of the Minister.

The Dill was read a first time and a seond time pro forma, and referred to the Education Committee.

Secondary Education

FOR ALL CHILDREN. EFFECT OF NEW LEGISLATION. (Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 22. “It r eally means secondary education for all,” was the reply :of the Minister of Education, Hon. P Fraser, when asked what the effect would be of the abolition of the Proficiency and Competency Certificates. “The position at the present time is that -when a pupil goes from the primary to the post-prmary school, he takes with him' both his progress card and Proficiency Certificate” said Mr Fraser. “In future he will take his progress card only. That card contains the record of his primary school ciourse. It indicates what, in the opin'on of his head teacher, are his special aptitudes. The abolition of th Proficiency Certificate, in all probability, will lead' to practically all of those children whose parents desire them to do so Continuing their education beyond the primary stage.”