"COMPULSORY EDUCATION."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1736, 29 April 1913, Page 4

"COMPULSORY EDUCATION."

Will you allow me a little ill your paper for the purpose of drawing people's attention to a matter on which there surely must bo strong fooling, though so far unvoiced. This 'is called a freo country; can it be rightly so called when educated parents residing in tho country are allowed practically no opinion in tho matter of their children's education. Tliey are forced by tho Government of this enlightened country to either send them to the State school or else to guarantee that they are taught according to tho Stale school 'curriculum, both as to hours, holidays, and subjects. The State school is, of course, a splendid institution for thoso for whom it is intended—people who cannot afford or do not .wish for anything more comprehensive. Th:,t people living in the country should bo threatened with a summons because, though employing a governess, they could not guarantee that a child of just seven years received five hours' instruction daily according to the Stato school syllabus is surely interfering with liberty. Wo have not; heard, of a similar ease in town, so conclude that the "subject" is allowed mora liberty there.' Tho Government has already changed for tho better, and wo hope that the latf in this respect may soon do the am, etc., . A PAfiEJfT AND I'AST TEACHER.