SUPERIOR CLASSES IN COMMON SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5315, 8 April 1878, Page 2

SUPERIOR CLASSES IN COMMON SCHOOLS.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sm, —One of your evening contemporaries devotes a leader to the subject of the withdrawal of the master from a classical and mathematical class which appears to have been established in one of the public schools in this city, and the consequent breaking up of the class. Your oon'emporary goes on to apeak of the hardship to which certain pupils have been thereby subjected, by reason of the disturbance of their studies. Now, sir, it appears to me that the establishment of such a class in a public school is in direct contravention of both the letter iand spirit of the Education Act. That Act clearly defines the subjects which shall be taught in our public schools. The object of the Act is evidently to provide a sound English education, no more—that is, so far as the public schools are concerned. It follows therefore that the mistake arose, not in ; breaking up the class, but in forming it at all. Boys who have passed the Fourth Standard are in possession of a good average English education, and are competent tq take a respectable : situation. This is all that is contemplated : I understand it) by the Education Act, vide i Section 84, and is clearly all that can be expected from a free system of education. Tho Act certainly, makes provision for district I high schools, wherein the higher branches of education shall be taught.. But these will not 1 be free, but “ Fees shall be paid by the pupils at such rates as shall be fixed by regulations,” vide Sections B 1 to 57 inclusive. No such school has as yet been established in Welling-ton,—-I am, &0., H. Y. Z.