PROFICIENCY EXAM.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 250, 22 October 1936, Page 8

PROFICIENCY EXAM.

ABOLITION NEXT YEAR EDUCATION AMENDMENT BILL [Ter Press Association J WELLINGTON, Oct. 21. Permanent restoration of the school admission age to five years and the abolition of lhe proficiency examination after September 30 next year are the principal features of the Education Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day. The minimum age for school admission was raised from 5 years to 6 years by the Finance Act, 1932 but readmission of 5-year-olcis was permitted by this year. A clause in the new Bill restores the 5-year-old basis as from January 1 of this year. The Bill also lays 'it down that the proficiency examination shall not be held at any time after September 30 next year, and that no certificates of proficiency or competency are to be issued after that date. As from February 1, 1938, the standard of qualification will be laid down by regulations. Children who have attained the age of 13, and have completed tneir work in accordance with this standard, may then leave primary school, and the use of the pronciency certificate for entry to a secondary school will be replaced by a provision that the child must be qualified in accordance with the regulations. In effect, the Bill provides for the

straight-out granting of free places for secondary and technical education, and there is also an arrangement by which children who have not qualified for admission to secondary school can be admitted to a lower department.

Orders-in-Council fixing the basis of computation of grants to education boards and amending the regulations relating to training colleges are validated by the Bill. Authority is given for payment of honoraria to the chairmen of education boards, with a maximum in each case of 1150 a year, and a total maximum in any one year of £7BO. Previously the limits were £lOO individually and £5OO in aggregate. Education boards are empowered to expend money out of special funds for maintenance or improvement of school grounds, and the payments of this description already made are validated. Provision is made tor special classes for infirm children to be concluded in private homes. Authority is given for the making o. regulations prescribing salaries and allowances for student teachers and part-time teachers in technical schools. Regulations affecting the current year may be made retrospective to February 1. The new provisions are to apply to the appointment of teachers to fill advertised positions. It is provided that no appointment which involves an increase in the salary of the person appointed is to be made unless the position has been advertised. Before making an appointment the education board concerned must consult with the senior inspector regarding the qualifications of applicants. Another clause provides that officers of the Public Service engaged as teachers in the education service may be placed under the control of the Minister.