COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 434, 17 September 1880, Page 2

COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

To the Editor

Silt,—Some few weeks back I observed in your report of (he Akaroa School Committee llifiv, Mr Sims asked what sleps had been taken with regard to bringing into force the compulsory clauses of the Education Act, 1877, and had spoken very strongly on the subject. Other members of the Committee expressed their concurrence with Kir Sims' views on the matter, anil, the Chairman distinctly undertook to see that the compulsory clauses of the Act were enforcpd, and that notices to that effect should be sent to those parents who failed to send their children to school; and here, sir, the matter ends. No noticeshave been sent, or if any, only one or two, whereas scores should have been sent , ; but there is no cause for surprise in this. Men get into office, who, from one or other out of a dozen possible causes, are unqualified for the position ; the trust gets abused and the work neglected, in this ease to the detriment uf scores of poor children whose parents are too selfish and tco mean to send them to school. I would propose, sir, that a ranger be appointed, whose business it shall be to canvas from housp to house within the prescribed school district, and find out what children-two attending and who are absent. As remuneration for his services lie might be allowed iv driving fee of, say, Gα per head for big children, and 3d for. little, ones. : .Trusting some steps maybe taken in the matter,—l anii etc., ■ APARIENT.