WHEN SCHOOL DAYS ARE OVER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3124, 30 June 1917, Page 5

WHEN SCHOOL DAYS ARE OVER

COUNCIL OF EDUCATION POINTS TO A LEAKAGE CONTINUATION SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED

The Council of Education at its meeting last week passed a series of resolutions with the object of making education compulsory up to tho ago of 17 in tho case of all children living within three miles of certain schools. It was pointed out that over fifteen thousand children, less than two-thirds of whom havo passed Standard VI, leave our primary schools every year. Of these fifteen thousand, ah'.'uc five thousand proceed to tho secondary schools, district high schools, ami technical high schools, and another fif.teeii hundred enter tho ovening classes of tho technical schools. There is thus a yearly loakage of over eight thousand children whoso education is completed when thoy leave the primary schools, and nearly six thousand of whom have not passed Standard VI. It was pointed out that this result was not creditablo to the Dominion, and did not mako for national efficiency. It was contended that a ; t present many children leaving school at an age ■when, they are just beginning to appreciate tho value of education, and -when, they should receive instruction having more special reference to their future calling, and that without this higher work much of their.primary school teaching is wasted. There is provision in Section 121 of tho Education Act under which, on the application of a school committee, attendance at continuation and technical classes may be made compulsory, but this provision has not been availed _of generally, and the opinion is growing that in all centres where suitable classes of instruction are provided attendance should be made compnlsory. Further, it is becoming the practico in many countries for employers to give their apprentices and young employees time off for a few hours weekly in order to allow them to attend classes for instruction during the day. Resolutions.

The council was of opinion that something should bo done to provide for the continuation of the education of those who are unable or unwilling to attend the existing post-primary schools, and after considering tho matter passed the following resolutions:— 1. (a) That it shall be compulsory for every boy and girl between, 'tho ages of 14 and 17 years living within three miles of technical classes to attend such classes for three hours a week for 30 weeks in each year unless such boy or girl is already receiving suitable instruction elsewhere.

(l>) That it shall be compulsory for every boy and eirl between the age.? of H and 17 yenrs living within three miles of a secondary school, district high school, or technical high school, to attend such school from El a.m. to 12 noon on Saturdays unless already receiving suitable instruction elsewhere.

2. That the conditions of Clause 1 shall Lc deemed to. bo fulfilled by attendance at classes hold at a secondary school, technical high school, or district high school, from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday for 30 tveelts in each. year. 3. That where required for the purpose of giving effect to Clause 1, classes should be established nt all public schools above gTade lITa. and may bo established in schools or lower grades whero possible. i. That 10 per cont., with a minimum of ,£2O, l.e added to the. salaries of teachers taking 'ip tho wort. j>. That the above resolutions, together with suitable explanations, be submitted to tho Efficiency Board, and that an officer of the Department should if necessary appear before tho board.