THE EDUCATION BILL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 40, 3 October 1914, Page 4

THE EDUCATION BILL.

[n its report on the Hon. J. Allen's Bill the Education Committee has retained the Minister's proposals as to he establishment of an Advisory Coun•il of Education, and also District' Councils, with a few minor alterations is to departmental and 'other representation on these bodies. The most mportant suggesifm made by the Committee deals with the Minister s proposal concerning the re-definition >f the boundaries of educational districts, and the consequent reduction n the number of Education Boards. It is now proposed that "there shall je ei'dit or nine education districts, rhich"shall lie determined by the Governor on the report of a Commission to be set up in that behalf." Pro-

vision has been made for a reversion ,o the old system of electing .members )f Boards in ur.ban school districts by School Committees. An important amendment was proposed in respect ,! : /compulsory attendance at continuation classes, a provision being made or the prevention of pupils deliberately and habitually misbehaving so . 8 to avoid attendance. The onus is brown on parents, subject to investigation before a Magistrate, who may •equire parents to enter into a bond 'or the good behaviour of refractory Hipils The Minister's proposals as to ,be centralisation of the inspectorate ,re retained, but it is recommended .hat salaries be placed up to the scale ,f the professional class under the >ublic Service Act. In regard to the schedule of the Bill which deals with he grading -and staffing of schools it a now recommended that assistants ttth in mixed schools and separate lehools, be placed in a higher grade.