ENTRANCE TO SCHOOL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 142, 18 June 1932, Page 10

ENTRANCE TO SCHOOL

CHILD UNDER SIX YEARS. PARENT'S OFFER TO PAY FEE. AUCKLAND, June 16. An offer by a parent, to pay a reasonable fee for permitting his son aged live years, to attend school, was declined by the Auckland Education Board yesterday. It was stated that the Minister of Education, since announcing the raising of the school entiance age to six years, had expressed opposition to any «ehild under six being allowed to attend school, even if not enrolled. The chairman, Mr. A. Burns, said Ihe 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 awcept 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. 11. S. W. King. Mr. E. C. Banks: If one is admitted there will l*e 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 bo safe to leave the matter to the discretion of headmasters. “If we issued a definite instruction to teachers it would have to bo in defiance of the Minister,” said Mr. Bu rns. It was decided to decline the request, bul; no furl her action was taken