EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1935, Page 7

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

REVISION OF CONDITIONS STATEMENT MADE BY MINISTER. RECONSIDERATION OF ENTRY AGE. CONSOLIDATION OF LEGISLATION. Inclusive revision of the regulations governing the Dominion’s education system was announced by the Minister of Education, the Hon. S. G. Smith, M.P., at Waitara last night in the opening address of his election campaign for the New Plymouth seat. He subsequently confirmed them officially to a Daily News reporter and indicated that further decisions would be made upon the return of the Director of Education, Mr. N. T. Lambourne, from an observatory tour abroad. “Already the preliminary steps have been taken to consolidate the Education Act, its amendments and the regulations thereon upon- the return of the director,” said Mr. Smith. “The staffing and grading of schools, the grading and training of teachers and the entrance and leaving age of primary school pupils will also be considered,” he added. “This will mean that the question of the admission of five-year-old children will be reopened for discussion.” A further aspect of the education system that Mr. Smith indicated would receive attention was the system of payment of incidental expenses to education boards, school committees and other controlling authorities. .The announcement made by Mr. Smith at Waitara concerning the school entrance and leaving ages was received with applause.