BRITISH EDUCATION BILL

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LI, Issue 9066, 11 April 1906, Page 5

BRITISH EDUCATION BILL

PROPOSED LEGISLATION INTRO-

DUCED.

BIBLE TEACHING INCLUDED.

Om»l ABBOOIATIOH.] (Received April 10, 10.31 p.m.)

LONDON, April 10.

Hon. A. Birrell, President of the Board of Education, introduced into the Commons the Education Bill.

It enacts that from the beginning of 1908, all elementary schools become providedi schools, public control to be complete. There are no religious teete for teachers, but the ordinary staff arc to give simple Bible teaching from nine toll a quarter to ten, no catechism or distinctive formularies to be used. Attendance J6 not to be compulsory until a quarter to ten.

The local authority is to arrange with owneTs of voluntary schools for the use of school houses, and maintain the fabric at a cost of about £260,000 yearly, owners to. retain their use, for- evenings, and also on Saturdays and Sundays.

Religious instruction of a special character may be given on two mornings of the week. If this be made a condition of 'the transfer of voluntary schools, such -instructions are to be given by a special .instructor, not to be paid by the local authority.

Attendance at secular instruction alone .is compulsory.

The authorities of urban areas are empowered, in the case of a transferred voluntary 6chool, to permit the ordinary teachers at a denomination's expense to give special (religious instructions daily, if the\ parents of four-fifths of the children attending so desire, and if there is accom.mpdation in the, other class schools- of the district for children whose patents do notv -desire .such ' instruction.

The bill proposes, besides* the' existing .Exchequer grante, an anmnal grant of !• million sterling. The actual cost is' thrown on the local authority. i

The bill establishes a National Coub> cil of Education for Wales.

- The bill appoints, a commission of three, w-iwsrein the legal elements 'predominant, to deal with schools held under trusts' jurisdiction.

It is believed the majority of the schools will acept the transfer.