PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16424, 18 January 1919, Page 6

PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE'S

ATTITUDE,

"Earlv in the year it becanio known to tho executive that in certain cases scholarships were being held in private schools, and a resolution of protest against this undermining of the national system was presented to tho Minister," stated the annual report of the New Zealand Educational Institute. "It will be necessary to watch this .matter carefully when further educational legislation is introduced. In this connexion it is gratifying to bo able to record that, by recently gazetted regulations, service in private schools will no longer be regarded as satisfying the conditions of the bond entered into on behalf of students in training colleges. This section, of tho roport was adopted. The samo matter was referred to later in the evening, when Mr Wobo moved: "That private schools be registered for purposes of compulsory attendance and inspection as regards the general quality of instruction _ and equipment" and hygienic conditions; private schools shall not be examined, and no certificates entitling to public privileges shall bo issued to taeir pupils." Sir Webb said that whatever may have been the intention of Parliament when passing the Act, tho practice was that tho private school enjoyed all tho opportunities of i inspection—general and dontal —of the school. "What they required was something to prevent Government-paid inspectors from using Government-paid time to gut the Government imprimatur on work done by 'untrained teachers. There were signs that tho Government realised the danger that these private schools were to the national system. They should see that the private school was such that the democracy should not suffer; but there must be some disadvantage which the child in a private school must suffer in order that the State should not bo using its powers to ouild_ up a system which endangered tho national system. Mr M. Jlalone (Grey) opposed the latter part of the motion,.which prevented the examination of pupils in private schools —tho Catholio schools, which were well taught and well managed. This was one way of endeavouring to kill all the private schools. They were endeavouring to set up a national system which would be better than anything else. Until tliey did that thoy should not refuse to grant leaving certificates to pupils. Without such certificates a punil could not enter the Public Service. While the parents were allowed to send their children to schools 'they should not be denied what was the privilege of every .taxpayer. Mr It. J. Foss (Pahiatua) said the refusal of leaving certificates would very easily bo overcome. He asked were the executive _ dealing with the question from the point of view of their national system or from tho point of view of tho child. If the latter, would they not wish to see overv school as efficient as possible? Sir A. J. C. Hall also showed a way of overcoming tho refusal of certificates. He moved as an amendment that the clause be referred back to the executive for further consideration and action. Mr T/ippiatt seconded the amendment. The inspector entered the school as the servant of tho State to see that the children received the education necessary for them. Mr de Berry held that this was a question on which the Institute should express a definite opinion. The conference iiad pronounced for the bridging of gaos between primary and secondary [schools; for one continuous and coordinated system of education. Ho would not allow such schools to be registered unless they provided a coordinated- and complete system instead of the patchy system they gave sit present. ' Further, whoa ilio-y were calling for beiter buildings and equipment tho must insist upon such being provided in the private schools. He wanted to see .the requirements lpid down definitely instead of being left to the chief inspector. Miss P. Myers said Mr de Bvry had struck the right note. They'must Dut tlieir o« - n house in order, and they could then insist upon equ-il requirements in the private schools. Tho amendment was rejected, and the motion was carricd.