NEW EDUCATION BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15663, 17 July 1914, Page 8

NEW EDUCATION BILL.

RADICAL CHANGES.

ADVISORY COUNCILS,

NINE EDUCATION BOARDS.

A WAIKATO DISTRICT.

DUAL SYSTEM OF ELECTION.

[BY TO,F.GHAVn.—SPECIAL COKRESrOXDENT.]

Wellington*, Thursday. Thi; Education Bill, notice of tho introduction of which has been given by the Hon. James Allen, Minister for Education, was circulated this evening.

It provides for the appointment of a general council of education, constituted as follows: — The director of education, who shall be chairman; the assistant director of education, who shall bo chairman in tho absence of the director; one other officer of the Education Department. All the above to be appointed by the Minister.' Two members elected by the members cf education boards in the North Island ami two members elected by tho members of the education boards in the South Island. One member elected by tho certificated male teachers of public schools in the North Island and one member clocted by the certificated male teachers of public schools in the South Island. One member elected by the malo teachers in secondary and technical schools. One member elected by tho certificated women teachers of the public schools in tho North Island, and one member elected by the certificated women teachers of public schools in the South Island. One member elected by the women teachers of secondary and technical schools. One member of the University of New Zealand appointed by the Senate.

I Three mombore appointed by the MinisI ter, namely, two to represent industrial [ interests (one of whom shall represent agriculture) and' one (a woman) to represent the interests of the education of girls. Duties of the General Council. The council shall nwet annually in the month of June and at such other times as tho Minister may direct. It shall be the duty of the council to report to the Minister— Upon methods or developments in national education which in its opinion it Is desirable to introduce into New Zealand ') (b) Upon any matters concerning the provision of facilities for education in Few Zealand or in any district thereof, and upon the co-ordination of the work carried on by the various bodies controlling education (c) Upon any other matters in connection with education referred to it by the Minister. District Councils. The Minister may constitute district councils for such period as is deemed fit to report upon such matters relating to education in a' district as he may refer to it. The-district council shall consist of five or more members, as follows:— of education, or any other officer of the Education Department appointed for that purpose by the Minister, who shall be chairmen; a member of the general council appointed by the Minister to represent the teachers of public schools of the island in which the district is situated; one or more other persons appointed .by the Minister, namely, a representative of an urban.school district, or a representative of teachers of secondary and technical schools, or any other person. Grants lor School Libraries. The Minister shall make such grants for school and clasu libraries out of funds appropriated by Parliament therefor as are prescribed by regulations. These grants may include a capitation payment for every child in yearly average attendance, and subsidies on amounts raised in the school district for such libraries. Departmental Inspectors. There shall be resident in each education district one senior inspector, and such other inspectors as the Minister shall direct. ■

The inspectors appointed by education boards under any former Education Act, and in office at the'commencement of this Act shall, notwithstanding anything in the Public Service Act, 1912, or in any 'other Act, bo. deemed to be inspectors of the Education Department, as if they had been appointed under this Act. Inspectors of schools are to be graded as follows: Chief inspector, senior inspector, inspector, and assistant inspector, with the following salaries:—Chief inspector, minimum £565, maximum £625; Benior inspector, minimum £490, maximum £560; inspector, .minimum £440, maximum £485 assistant inspector, minimum £365, 'maximum £425. An annual incre- ' meat of £15 is provided for in each case. There shall bo not less than two nor more than five chief inspectors. There shall be not less than nine nor more than fifteen senior inspectors, one of whom shall be resident in each education district. The number of other inspectors shall be as the Governor may see fit. Some of the inspectors shall be women. Teachers' Salaries. The grades of salaries payable to head teachers are as follows: — . Grade. Minimum. Maximum. £ £ I. ... 100 ... 140 11. ... 110 ... 190 111. ... 200 ... 250 IV. ... 260 ... 310 V. ... 320 ... SCO VI. ... 370 ... 400 VII. ... 410 ... 440 The grades of salaries payable to assistants are as follows: — Grade. Minimum. Maximum. £ £ I. ... 100 ... 120 11. ... 120 ... 140 111. ... 150 ... , 180 IV. ... l!) 0 ... 220 V. , ' ... 230 ... 2fio VI. ... 260 ... 280 VII. .. 290 ... 310 In'.each case the annual increment is £10. A deduction of 10 per cent, from the salary payable in accordance with tho foregoing provisions shall be made in the case of overy uncertificated head or solo teacher, and in the case of every uncertificated assistant, and a deduction of 5 per cent, in the case of every assistant or head or solo teacher who is the holder of a temporary certificate or license, to teach; but if in any such, case t!io said deduction would reduce the salary below £100 per annum no greater deduction shall be made than is sufficient to reduce the salary to £100.

The salaries of pupil teacher* are fixed as follows according to the year of service as prescribed by legulations:— year £35, with allowance of £20 if obliged to live away from home. Second year £45, with allowance of £15 if obliged to live away from home. Third or fourth year £55, with allowanco of £10 if obliged to livo away from home. Where a pupil teacher lives at home but is obliged to travel more than four miles daily each way to attend school, there shall be paid an additional Bum (not exceeding £10 per annum) to defray the actual cost of such travelling. Boards to Appoint Teachers. The boards, subject to the Act and regulations, shall appoint, the schoolteachers. When it appears to a board, after consultation with the senior inspector, that two or moro - candidates possess as nearly as may be equal qualification,

it may select not more than three names for consideration by the committee. Committees may make recommendations for appointment, transfer, suspension or dismissal of teachers, and no appointment, suspension or dismissal may bo made without the committees being consulted. Nine Education Board Districts. An important part of the Bill is that which deals with the constitution of education boards. The Dominion is divided into nine districts, thus teducing the number of boards from 13- to nine. There will be five districts in the North Island and four in the South Island. The present Auckland Education District has been divided into two districts, which will be respectively designated North Auckland (with headquarters at Auckland), and Ww'kato (with headquarters at Hamilton)

The present districts of Taranaki and Wanganui will be formed into a combined district under tho namo of Egmont (with headquarters at Wanganui). The North Island districts are to be Hawko's Bay and Wellington.

In the South Island, the present education district of Marlborough will be added to the Nelson district, the present districts of West land and Grey will 1m added to the Canterbury district, which will f.lso include practically the whole of tho Canterbury Province. The other districts will be those of Otago and Southland. Tho following are tho area? to bo included in the two districts in the Auckland province ;— North Auckland, comprising the counties of Mangonui, Whangaroa, Dokianga, Bay of Islands, Hobson, Whangarei, Otaliiatoa, Rodney, Waitemata, Eden, Manukau, Franklin, Coroinandel and Groat Barrier Island (icluding all boroughs and town districts therein, end also including Waiheke and Little Barrier Islands). The abovo includes the City of Auckland. Waikato, comprising tho counties of Thames, Ohinemuri, Waikato, Raglan, Piako, Waipa, Matamata, Taurnnga, Kawhia,Waitomo, Awakino, West Taupo, East Taupo, Rotorua, Whakatane, Opotiki and Ohura (including all boroughs and town, districts therein). Election of Boards. One rural area of each education board district shall be divided by the 'board into three wards on tho basis of tho yearly average attendance. Two members* shall be elected for each rural ward. The number of members in each urban area, whether an urban school district or not, shall be two for each 60,000 or part of 60,000 of the population. The members for each ward of the rural area and for each urban district other than an urban school district shall be elected by the members of the committees of the school districts within the respective boundaries. Each member of a committee shall have as many votes as there are vacancies to be filled, but he shall not give more than one vote to any one candidate. The members for each urban schqol district shall be elected by tho municipal electors of the boroughs comprising such urban school districts. The election of those members shall tako place at the 1 ' samo time and place as tho election of tho councillors of the boroughs within such districts, the votes obtained for each candidate'in each borough to be added. School Districts. An important alteration is proposed to be made in the constitution of school dietricts. In urban areas boards shall have power to alter the limits of any school I district, and to divide any such district into two or more districts, and to combine two or more districts, and it may combine all the school districts within any city or borough into one district provided that every school district shall be wholly within or wholly without an urban area, and that the number of schools, not oeing side) schools, in any district other than an urban school district snail not be more than five. .. , Election of Committees. For every school district there shall be a committee consisting of not less than five nor more than nine resident householders. Where tho yearly average attendance at the School or schools in the school district for the preceding year has not exceeded 100 children the number of members of the committee shall be five; where such attendance is over 100, anct not over 200, 'the number of members shall be seven; and where such attendance is over 200 the number of members shall be nine. In urban school districts there shall be nine members of the committee in all cases. The committees of urban school districts shall hold office for two years. In other casea the term shall bo one year.

The annual elections of committees shall take place in March. The committees, subject to the general supervision and control of the board, shall have the management of the schools. Committees may establish savings banks for the use of pupils. Secondary School Grants,

A new scale of grants to secondary schools is provided as follows

There shall be paid to each secondary school the sum of £100, together with the grants in respect of free pupils, as follows, namely:—

(a) When the net annual income per head is over £17 per annum, there shall be paid a grant of £4 per annum on each free pupil.

(b) When that income is over £9, but not over £17, there shall be paid on each free pupil an annual grant of £4, together with. one-fourth of the deficiency of that income below £17 per annum.

(c) When that income is over £5, but not over £9, there shall be paid on each free pupil an annual grant of £6, together with three-fourths of the deficiency of that income below £9 per annum. (d) When that income is not over £5, there shall be paid on each free pupil an annual grant of £9, together with nine-tenths of the deficiency of that income below £5 per annum.

(e) The net annual income per head shall be found by dividing the net annual income derived from endowments by the total number _of pupils attending the school, exclusive of the pupils in any lower department. Staffing of Secondary Schools. It is provided that the capitation payablo on account of each freo pupil shall bo three-quarters of the rates named above unless the following conditions are complied with I'(1) The salary of the principal of a boys' secondary school or of a mixed secondary school shall not 'be less than £400 per annum, (2) Tho salary of the principal of a girls' secondary school shall not be less than £300 per annum. (3) The average salary of all the full-time assistant masters in any secondary school shall not be lees than £250 per annum. (4) The average salary of all the full-time assistant mistresses in any secondary school shall not be less than £175 per annum. (5) The salary paid to any assistant teacher in any secondary school shall not bo less than £150 per annum. (6) The total amount expended in the salaries of the teaching staff in any secondary school (exclusive of the lower department) shall not be less than £12 10s per head of tin total number of pupils attending the school, exclusive of tho pupils in any lower department. (7) The number of full-time assistants in any secondary school (exclusive of the teachers in any lower department) shall not be less than one for every 25 pupils exclusive of the pupils in any lower department, provided that in special circumstances with the previous approval of the Minister any other arrangement of the staff securing <>6 nearly as possible equal efficiency may be made. It is provided that (he Minister may, where desirable, establish further secondary, district, high, or technical. high schools, or that he may disestablish schools whero desirable, but this latter power shall not apply to present endowed secondary schools.

The governing bodies of such high schools as that at Hamilton shall consist of nine members,, of whom three shall be.

appointed by the education board of the district, three by the parents of pupils, two by the Government, and one by the urban school committee nearest the school. General Provisions. Provision is made for the appointment of medical inspectors of schools, the incorporation of teachers' institutes, and for courts of appeal, of which magistrates shall be chairmen.

A DOMINION INSPECTORATE.

REASONS FOR THE CHANGE.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.}

Wellington, Thursday. Mr. Allen was paid a great compliment by tho House tonight. While ho was explaining the details of his Education Bill from all parts of tho House came requests that he should not bo hampered by the time limit on speeches, and eventually, on tho suggestion of Mr. Russell, in the absonce of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Allen was granted an extension of time. He gave a detailed explanation of the Bill, which was listened to by tho House with great attention. In rogard to the proposal to have the inspectors under the control of the Government, Mr. Allen said he had no doubt there would, be differences of Opinion on that point. The question of bringing the inspectors into closer touch with the Department was, however, very important. For his own part, he was at first rather averse to that, but ultimately lie became absolutely convinced in favour of it. So great would bo the s?/ing that ho hoped to bo able to pay the increased salaries of the inspectors without additional cost. The overlapping that at present existed would bo done away with. One. of the first things the inspectors' would have to deal with would be the great difference in the, standard of the certificates of efficiency and competenceIt would be impossible to get any standard unless there was some control over an inspector to give him a standard. With each inspector interested in his district alono, he would endeavour to get as many certificates as ho could. The result was that some districts got more than they should, and therefore boys and girls had gone into secondary schools who were not properly prepared, and tho State had in conscquenco been wasting a certain sum of money. Another reason for getting the inspectors under the Department was in regard to a Dominion scalo of teachers' salaries. It would be practically impossible to arrange this unless they' could get some means by which they could pay teachers on tho same basis. • With the inspectors in the hands of the board, as at present, it was impossible to say that one grade in a district was tho same as another; indeed, there was greatest variation between one district and another. In the Bill it was provided that this Dominion grading might be carried out later on if the inspectors were brought into closer touch with the Department. The question of transfer of teachers from one school and from one district to another, add the question of the interpretation of the syllabus also were closely allied with this proposal. At present there was a considerable difference of interpretation in different districts. NEGLECTED CHILDREN. PRESSURE ON PARENTS. |BT TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Thursday. In explaining the new Education Bill to-night, Mr. Allen said there was a provision in regard to medical inspection. They intended to insist upon the parents, as far as the moans would let them, getting their children medically attended to. In cases in which the health officer reported children to be suffering from serious disease or bodily defect, parents would be notified, and on their failing to take tho necessary action they should be adjudged guilty of cruelty. INCREASED EXPENDITURE. AN ADDITIONAL £150,000. [BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thursday. In his explanation of the Education Bill the Hon, James Ailen expressed the hope that Parliament would- help him to fix tho boundaries of the nine proposed education districts. He expressed the opinion that at present there was too grca* a multiplicity of examinations. With a Dominion system of grading teachers, better results would be obtained. It was proposed to make more effective provision for the medical inspection of school children. Government subsidies would be paid to boards fit the rate of £1 for £1 on all cash contributions, and 10s in the £1 for cost of all donations of land or material. An increase in capitation to school committees was proposed. It was proposed to pay, by way of increased capitation to secondary schools £1000, to education boards £10,000, and the total increased expenditure on education under the Acts of 1908, and 1913, and of this Bill when in full operation, would be £150,000. . The Minister paid a tribute to the monumental work of the officials in preparing the measure. » DISCUSSION ON THE BILL. REFERRED TO A COMMITTEE. [BT TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thursday. Mr. G. W. Russell (Avon) said ho was pleased to see tho Minister embark upon a centralisation scheme. Speaking of tho need for a Dominion scale of teachers' salaries, ho said there must be .somo reason why men were not attracted to tho teaching profession. He complimented the Minister upon tho compilation of the Bill.

Mr J. A. Hanan (Invercaxgill) was glad to see a national system of grading teachers. A teacher would now have a wider field for advancement. Benefit would would carao from the centralisation of inspectors. Some trouble would arise from the attempt to reduce- the number of education board-t, They should look a,t the matte? from a national standpoint. Ho would vote for the Bill, because it contained progressive proposals. Mr. T. H. Davey (Christehurch East) congratulated the Minister upon the Bill. He urged the provision of scholarships for Catholic schools. Mr. J. H. Bradney (Auckland West) and Mr. R. McCallum (Wairau) supported the Bill.

Mr. A. S. Malcolm (Clutha) urged that it would be impossible to give satisfaction unless provision was made to pay teachers irrespective of attendance. He thought that no school which was not actually a State school should be recognised by'payment of a subsidy. Mr. D. Buick (Palmerston) congratulated the Minister upon the Bill, but he expressed the hopo that fair concessions would be made to the Catholics. The Bill was read a second time, and refcrred to the Education Committee.