23

E.—-12

Private Schools. ' In regard to private schools, it is recommended that section 151 of the Act be amended so that the clause beginning " The head teacher of such school may apply for "shall read " The head teacher of such school shall apply for." It should also be a condition precedent to the exemption of these schools that the equipment, buildings, playgrounds, sanitation, &c, are at least equal to those obtaining at the State schools in the locality. It is recommended that no State aid be granted to any secondary school that is not under the control of an Education Board. Correspondence Schools. In the opinion of the Commission legislation should be introduced for the registration of all schools of correspondence, whether local or foreign, within the Dominion. Superannuation. The matter of increasing the allowance payable under the Superannuation Act to widows has been brought under the notice of the Commission ; but it is thought to be a question for the Actuary and the contributors. It is recommended that the Actuary be asked to ascertain the amount of increased contribution required from men in order to secure for widows an allowance of £26 per year, instead of £18 as at present; and that when this is obtained a referendum of male contributors to the fund be taken as to their willingness to contribute the additional amount required. Members of the Education service who did not elect to become contributors to the Superannuation Fund before the coming into operation of the amending Act of 1908 were permanently shut out from the benefits of the fund. Under the original Act they had the right to become contributors without loss of back service, whenever they found themselves financially able to comply with the conditions imposed by the Superannuation Board. This right was withdrawn, without notice, and much hardship has therefore been inflicted on many old and faithful servants of the State. The Education Committee of the House has twice recommended that a further opportunity should be given for teachers and others permanently employed on the Ist January, 1906, to become original members of the fund. Your Commission indorses this recommendation, and suggests that legislation be enacted giving the persons referred to above the right to become original members of the fund on payment of back contributions, together with interest on such contributions calculated at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum. This privilege should be available for a limited period only—say, one year. It is also recommended that retiring-allowances be paid on the three best years of salary, or on the last three years, at the option of the contributors. Compulsory Attendance. It was pointed out in evidence that there were a number of defects in the compulsory sections of the Education Act, including the provision in section 152, which allows seven days to elapse before a parent who fails to send his child to school is liable to a fine, the c6hflict between the minimum age of employees under the Factories Act and the maximum compulsory age for school-attendance, the prevalence of the employment of children of school-age during school-hours, and the want of power to commit habitual truants to an industrial school at an earlier age than that prescribed. Children and Street Trading. Evidence was given at Dunedin showing that there is a tendency to employ lads at times and occupations that interfere with their proper instruction at school, and the attention of the Commission was drawn to the steps taken by the London County Council to prevent children of educable age being withdrawn from school during schooltime, or employed in duties that do not allow them to "receive the full benefit of the primary course. A similar state of things has been revealed in other parts of the Dominion. It is recommended that section 153 of the Education Act be amended in the direction of making employers equally liable with parents in such cases.