SECONDARY & TECHNICAL EDUCATION-

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 291, 16 December 1902, Page 4

SECONDARY & TECHNICAL EDUCATION-

AN IMPORTANT SCHEME.

Further provision for free secondary education has been made by the Education Department, and regulations bare been drafted for " free places in secondary schools and grants payable therefor." The sum ot £6 a year will be paid to the governing body of any public secondary school on account of each, pupil admitted free under the scheme, one of the conditions of which ia that the governing body must first be willing to provide, without any grant, one free place for each £50 of its net income from endowments, and must also admit to free places all pupils of good character who have obtained a certificate of proficiency (i.e., a Sixth Standard certificate) and are under fourteen years of age. The period of admission to the school will be two years, but the term may be continued for two years longer provided the pupil satisfies such tests as may bo provided by the Inspector-General of Schools. These free places are open to girls and boys alike.

It is also proposed to issue now regulations under the Manual and Technical Instruction Act, 1902, providing for junior and secondary technical scholarships. In the case of junior scholarships the controlling authority will be paid 3d for each attendance at a class in any recognised subject of manual or technical instruction, or for each attendance at a continuation class, To be entitled to a scholarship a pupil must have obtained a certificate of proficiency. The term of the scholarship is two years, but may be continued for two more years (daring which time it will be known as a spcorclary technical scholarship) provided the pupil passes a certain test and that regular instruction is given him of a more advanced character. Free railway tickets will be granted where necessary to holders of primary or secondary technical scholarships.