EDUCATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 362, 6 November 1858, Page 5

EDUCATION.

RESOLUTIONS to be Proposed in the Provincial Council— 1. I hat the principle laid down in the existing Education Ordinance for providing for the establishment of Public Schools throughout the Province— viz., that the Government provide sites and the necessary buildings and equipments for such Schools, and that the salaries of teachers, and other expenses connected therewith, be provided by a general poll-tax-has been found by experience to be objectionable, and the law in consequence inoperative. l

2. That were the ordinary Revenue of (he Province adequate (which it is not) *o provide for the whole expense of establishing and maintaining a general and effective system of Education, and at the same time to provide for the other necessary expenses of Government, it would be unwi.,e to transfer the sole responsibility of Education from the people to the Government. x L

b. That the present constitution of the Education Board, con&istine of nominee members of the Government, and of other members from all the Educational Districts in the Province, has, from the loss of time to which those members residing m the remote districts have been subjected in attending the periodical meetings of the Board in Dunedin, and from other causes resulted in dissatisfaction and inconvenience, and requires amendment. 4s ihatm the above, and various other particulars, the existing law has been found unsuitable to tne circumstances of the Province, and that it is necessary for the furtherance of a Plan of general public Education, to enact a new Law, more effective, and practical in its operations. lhat m prepanng a new Education Ordinance, the Mowing principles be adhered to, as being founded on equality of responsibility on the part of the Government and of the People :— First. That in all cases the Government provide, at the public cost, suit-

able sites for all Buildings connected with the Public Schools of the Province, and Land connected therewith for the use of the Schools and of the Schoolmaster. Second. That all further expenses connected with Public Education, (excepting thesalary of a Secretary and inspector, Sec, hereinafter provided for), including School and Schoolmaster's Houses, Fencing the Lands attached thereto, Salaries of Schoolmasters, and the cost of Passage of such Schoolmasters as may be sent for from Britain, be borne in equal proportions by the Government and the People of those Districts wherein Schools shall be established.

Third. That, with a view of relieving such Districts as may be at first unable to raise sufficient money for defraying their share of the cost of erecting School Buildings, the Government should borrow money, with consent of the General Government, and supply through their commissioners a sufficient sum for the nece&sary Buildings ; and the District receiving such aid should be bound to pay annually a half share of the interest upon°the money expended in such Buildings in their District ; and, in addition thereto, such an additional sum, not exceeding 5 per cent per annum, upon their share of the sum so borrowed, as will be necessary to form a fund for the liquidation oi their share of the debt incurred.

Fourth. That each District shall have power to levy School fees and rates upon the inhabitants of the District, for defraying the people's share of the School expenses and Master's salary, and shall also have the full control and management of the School or Schools therein, saving that all Teachers selected should be required, before appointment, to produce a certificate of qualification from a Government Inspector, or from the Rector of the Hio-h School of Dunedin. °

Fifth. That instead of a General Board of Education as at present constituted, three Commissioners should be appointed by the Government to administer such funds as may from time to time be voted by the Provincial Council for the purposes of Education, and also all such other funds 'as may come to their hands for such purposes. Sixth. That one of such Commissioners shall be appointed Secretary to the Commissioners, (that his salary and all expenses attending the execution of the Commission shall be paid solely by money to bo from time to time voted by the Provincial Council for that purpose. Seventh. That it shall be the duty of such Secretary to prepare annual reports of the Commissioners to the Provincial Council, and also to visit the inhabited parts of the Province, and stir up the people to the formation of new Educational Districts ; and, generally, to devote his time and energies to the advancement of Education within the Province. °

Eighth. That provision should be made for the establishment of Branch or Side-Schools, and for the Salaries of Male or Female Teachers as the case may require, in such outlying parts of the Province as may not from their limited or scattered population be able to support first-class Teachers. dsinth, 'I hat, with a view of making a more permanent provision for Education, the Government should purchase or make reserves of land in each Educational District constituted or to be constituted within the Province; the lands so to be reserved to be granted by the Government for the benefit and advancement of Education therein, and for the endowment of a High School and College in Dunedin in all time coming. TentlK That a copy of the&e Resolutions be sent to the Rector of the High School _in Dunedin, and also one to each existing District School Committee, with a request that any suggestions which they may think proper fo make as to the details of the new Ordinance should beYowarded lo the Provincial Solicitor as early as possible. Eleventh. That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to instruct the Provincial Solicitor to prepare a Bill, embodying the principles contained in the foregoing Resolutions, in order that the same may be printed and circulated through the Province for some months before the next Session of the Provincial Council.