ENTRANCE TO SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1932, Page 7

ENTRANCE TO SCHOOL

CHILD UNDER SIX YEARS.

PARENTS OFFER. TO PAY FEE.

An offer by a parent to pay a reasonable fee for permitting hiss eon, aged five years, to attend school, was declined by the Auckland, Education Board on Wednesday. It was stated that the Minister of Education, since announcing the raising of the school entrance, age to six years, had expressed opposition to any child under six being allowed to attend school, even if not enrolled. The chairman, Mr. A. Burns, eaid the Minister took the view that such a step would practically defeat the object of the new regulation. Mr. S. R. Sims said that if a teacher wished to accept a child under age and not add its name to the roll, he should be permitted to do so. It was particularly desirable that young children should be allowed to attend country schools.

“At many country schools the infant department is not overcrowded,” said Mr. H. S. W. King. Mr. E. C. Banks: If one is admitted there will be many applications. Mr. T. U. Wells said the board should respect the wishes of the Minister. However, where there was good reason for a child being admitted, probably no trouble would be raised. It would be safe to leave the matter to the discretion of headmasters. “If we issued a definite instruction to teachers it would have, to be in defiance of the Minister,” said Mr. Burns. It was decided to decline the request, 'but no further action was taken.