THE NEW EDUCATION BILL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 223, 10 August 1877, Page 17

THE NEW EDUCATION BILL.

(To the Editor of the Nelson Evening Mail.) Sib, — Now that the papers of Nelson have commented on the Education Act, allow me to pass a remark which has not been made by any of them, namely, that this new system, which affects a great liberality towards the pupils, is most illiberal and unjust as regards the teachers, inasmuch as most of them will be debarred from taking charge of a school under the Act. For it is evident, unless explained clearly to the contrary, that the prayers to be said and the Bible to be read before schools will be Protestant. Now a Catholic teacher will never consent to say a Protestant prayer, or to read a Protestant Bible. He would prefer not to take charge of such a school, or he must act the hypocrite. And unless an amendment or explanatory clause be introduced permitting teachers the reading of Catholic prayers or Bible, brought in to that effect, this j measure will be considered as most illiberal, and one of a perse* cuting character. Under the Nelson system, where a purely Catholic school could not be had on account of the small number of Catholic children, those children could go to the Government schools, and withdraw at the time the Bible was read ; in like manner Protestant children attending schools conducted by Catholic teachers were allowed to withdraw at the time Catholic prayers or Bible were read. However, admitting that the present Bill will pass, it is presumed that in schools which are under the management of Catholic guardians and teachers, the Catholic prayers and Bible will be used, otherwise this Bill, which appears to be fair in many respects, will fail to give general saisf action. — I am, &c., Nelson, July 31at, 1877. A. M. Gabin. The Education Bill introduced by the Government is likely to be popular among a large class of the community. At the same time it is certain to be a source of extreme bitterness to many others. Its leading principles may be defined as being — secularism, primary education, abolition of fees, mild compulsion, and capitation payments. With regard to secularism, there is the inconsistency that the Lord's Prayer, and & portion of Scripture, are to be read without consent every morning, the attendance at such reading being voluntary. The capitation is to be ten shillings per head upon every child between five and fifteen, whether attending the public school or not. Children, however, who are attending other schools are to be exempt, as also children out of reach of schools, invalids, and those who hold certificates of competency. The capitation fees are to go to the local committees for a school fund. The committees are to elect the Education Board for their district. The Board is to receive £3 10s. per annum out of the Consolidated Fund for each child in average daily attendance at a public school. The cost of each child is averaged at JB4 per year, exclusive of buildings, which are to be provided for out of loan. It is obvious that under such a system the practical desireß of all Protestants could be met. The Catholics are, however, completely shut out, and, if no aid is given to them, the Protestant children will be educated to a great extent at the charge of their Catholic neighbours. If the Government see their way clear to contribute a sub-

stantial sum per head for every Catholic child that passes the Government Inspector in the same syllabus as is adopted for examination standard in the public schools for secular subjects, this injustice would be obviated, and a good sound system of secular education for Protestants get a fair chance of establishment. No system founded on injustice can take root for any time in New Zealand.— Mount Ida Chronicle.