EDUCATION IN ONTARIO.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1201, 9 December 1873, Page 2

EDUCATION IN ONTARIO.

The subject of national education is the most important question which will demand the earnest attention of the newly-elected Provincial Council. Other states and nations have fought the battle of advancing intelligence against old-fashioned prejudice, and as we are now particularly interested in tho victory of progression and improvement, wc purpose to give our readers a few extracts and opinion upon some of the most successful systems of modern school instruction in ho far as they may be adapted to the present and future requirements of tho colony, in order that a comprehensive measure may be enacted for Auckland, which may serve as the basis for future legislature by the General Government. Among the British possessions Canada offers the greatest educational advantages, and has the best common school system. The official report of Ontario says : —"A public school education is the right of every child iv the land, and every man should contribute according to his property to the education of every child in the community, by whose influence and labours such property is protected and rendered valuable. The State is responsible to the existing citizens for tho training of those who are to become citizens. It alone ought to do the work, and it alone can. For if every man is to be taxed according to his property for the public school education of every child in the land, every taxpayer has a right to claim that every child shall be educated in the various branches of a good English education, otherwise it is raising money by taxation under false pretences ;" and out of a population of 453,9G0 children, 420,483 wore in IS7I to be found in attendance -at school. The new Act of Ontario requires the attendance of all children between tho ages of five and sixteen, and opens the schools free to all under twentyone years of age. The provinco is dividod into school sections, of which a number may unito and form a school board. Taxes are levied upon household aud landed property. Tho Town Councils raise the money and direct its expenditure. A chief superintendent of schools is appointed by the Governor, who is responsible for the education of the province, and who is assisted by superintendents appointed by tho several cities and counties. For advanced education high schools are provided in different parts of the province, which admit pupils free from the elementary schools, and provide tho best training in science classics, and modern language. In the chief town a central normal school is supported, fitted up with an excellent library and an educational museum, replete with every description of apparatus, and with specimens of commercial products and manufactured articles. Practical education of the highest class is here efficiently carried out, and a staff of teachers trained suited to the ever-increasing demands of a rising and prosperous colony.—M.