EDUCATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 985, 19 April 1862, Page 5

EDUCATION.

TO THE KUITOR 01? TITK LYTTKI.TON TIMES,

Sib, —From certain articles recently written on education, it appears to me that an erroneous opinion is likely to be formed with reference to*what constitutes a denominational- si/stem. For a school, to be denominational, I take it, that it must belong to some religious denomination, and that the teacher or minister, or both, may and do, at certain times, instruct the children, whose parents do not object to it, in the peculiar doctrines of that denomination. Now such a school, or a number of such schools, may receive aid from public grants, or they may not without affecting its denominational character. If schools of this^kind, and no others, receive public aid, then, I apprehend that such a mode of procedure might properly be called a denominational system. As to whether the census returns were taken as the guide for the distribution of the grant, or the numbers in attendance; whether the grants were distributed by the heads of denominations, by a central board, or by any other method, that, I consider, would not by any means affect the denominational character of the system, so long as schools only which belong to some denomination received a grant

But how shall it be decided whether denominational schools shall receive aid at all. Before deciding that, let us look at England: when certain schemes and plans were proposed there some years ago, it was found that the religious denominations were already engaged to a considerable extent in the work of education; that they raised large amounts annually, for that purpose, and by their influence and co-operation, promoted the work in no inconsiderable degree. It was decided, therefore, at last, not to take the work out of the hands of denominations, but to assist them in it, in order that education might be both extended and improved.

Now, although the denominations in this province which have received grants, have not raised by local subscriptions, &c., amounts annually towards the support of their schools, like the English scheme before receiving aid; yet the work of public education -here is wholly in their hands, and to take it altogether from them would be neither economical not politic. The grant ought not, however, to be confined to the three denominations only, but should be open to all. And supposing that in some places the people (or a sufficient .number of them) wished for, and" would assist in establishing an un-sectarian school, there seems to be no sufficient reason for_ saying that such a school should receive no grant.

But then arises the question, who should distribute ttie grant ? Certainly not the heads of denominations; for this part of the business ought to be as free as possible from denominational influence ; and besides, it is desirable that each denomination receiving public aid should also raise, by fees and subscriptions, a certain amount, in order to be entitled to that aid; but while the public grant is distributed by the heads of denominations, many people somehow seem to fancy that there is nothing more for them to do in the matter. If then the public grant were distributed by the Executive, or by a Board, the heads of denominations would be relieved of that burden, and, as it seems to me, ■would be better able to serve the cause" of education, t>y getting their respective members to take more interest in the matter.

And now arises another question: who ought to make the rules and regulations by which the grant should be distributed ? Ought the party who has the distribution of it to make such rules, or should the rules for the distribution of the grant be made by the Provincial Council ? In the Auckland Education Act, the conditions on which schools may receive aid, and the amounts to be given are all stated, tße same condition applying to all schools, the graiilas distributed by a board appointed by the Superintendent. If you can afford space, at some future period I will forward you an abstract of the Auckland Act, which I think contains several provisions worth consideration.

■ .-., I am, sir, yours respectfully, ; ■ S. L. SANDERS, Wesleyah School, Christchurch, April 14, 1862.

P.S.—Since commencing the above, I have been much pleased with a letter of Mr. Raven's, in ' The Press,' of Saturday last.