THE EDUCATION BILL.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2666, 2 September 1871, Page 2

THE EDUCATION BILL.

The Education Act, proposed by Mr Fox, on 25th ult., is divided into twelve portions, and by the first elapse is intended to gome into operation on the Ist January next, i Part 1 contains five clauses. The first clause repeals certain Provincial Acts and ; Ordinances to be decided upon, and specified . in a schudala. The 3rd to the sth (both inclusive,) provides the machinery for giving effect to the provisions of the Bill. The officials are to ha a responsible Minister of Education, who is to be ex officio a member of the Council of the University of New Zealand, Secretary and “such Inspectors of schools and other officers as may be deemed necessary.” Inspectors at present appointed to continue to act under the minister. The administration of the “Native Schools Act, 1867,” is to be transferred from the control of the Colonial Secretary to the Minister of Education. Part 2nd. Comprises Clause 6 to 20, both inclusive, and provides that each Province and the County of Westland shall be an Education Distr ct, with an Education Board in each. The first Board shall be the Superintendent, and six persons appointed by him, who are to hold office until the end of the session of the Provincial Council, either sitting when the Act comes into operation, or next after it ; and afterwards five members are to be elected by the Provincial Council who must be inhabitants of the Province, one appointed by the Superintendent, and they, with the Superintendent are to hold office as a Board until the expiration or dissolution of the Council. The disqualifications are, unsouuduess of mind, holding a paid office under the Board, bankruptcy, insolvency, composition or a deed of arrangement with creditors, absence from the Colony for six months, conviction of crime or misdemeanor, or perjury. In case of vacancy, the Superintendent to nominate a new member who will hold office until election of one by the ensuing provincial Council, if not then jn '^cssiqp.' Thp Boards are to l}e pjcprpopated. These pcrangstpepfn areqnly tq apply to Prqvipceq, the Couqty Council of ‘VYesfland is tq be the Education Boapij Clause f) vest? property fqr educationalpurpqsesinthe Education Boards, and empqwers them tq Receive sums owing, and renders them liable fqr contracts previously entered iqto by Provincial Edflcai tion Boards. All property hereafter ag. quircd by Education Boards to bo vested in trust in the Superintendent for the time being. The 10th to the 15th clauses define the powers and duties of the Board, and provide for the appointment of officers, places of meeting, conduct and record of proceedings, and custody of money. By the 16th, school distriets are to be established, or combined, but not during any school year, i.e. from January 1 to December 31st. The School Districts are to be gazetted, with a description of thejr boundaries. The 18th to the 20th clauses inclusive, prescribe the conditions on which schoolmasters are to be appointed. They must hold certificates of competency from the Minister of Education, and such other certificates as may hereafter be required U»d«r the Act, Great weight is to be attached by the Board to the recommendation of the School Committee of the district. All teachers appointed prior to passing the Act to continue to hold office. No school teacher to relinquish his engagement under one month’s notice in writing, and tiro Board to give

three months notice, The occupation of the schoolhouse by the teacher to be by sufferance only. Part 3rd. Clauses 21 to 36 provide for the “erection” of school districts, the election of School Committees, and a definition of their duties, and make provision for the appointment of assistant and pupil teachers. On the memorial of not less than five inhabitants of a locality, praying for its being constituted a school district, or on the report of a Government Inspector of Schools, the Board may call a meeting of the land and householders, male and female, appoint a chairman, fleet a School Committee, consider the boundaries of the district, and report to the Board, who at discretion may appoint it a school district. At that meeting not less than five nor more than nine occupiers of land or houses, the majority being parents of children under sixteen years old, may be elected a school committee. The election to be by show of hands or by ballot. The committee to hold office until the ensuing fourth Monday in January, when they are to report to a public meeting of land and householders, and a new committee is to be elected. Bankruptcy, insolvency, or crime disqualify anyone from being eligible to election. If school committees are not elected, the Board is empowered to appoint commissioners with like powers. The 27th to the 30th clauses direct the proceedings of school committees. The 31st gives them power, with the sanction of the Board, to establish elementary schools. The salaries of teachers not to be less than the minimum determined by the Board. The 32nd clause empowers the school committee to provide buildings. By the 33rd the Board may contribute towards teachers’ salaries, and by the 34th school committees may appoint teachers of sewing, schoolmistresses, and assistant teachers, where necessary. The Provincial Board may authorise the employment of apprenticed pupil teachers in wellattended and efficient grammar or elementary schools. Part 4 relates to grammar, model, and high schools, libraries, scholarships, &c., and free schools. The 37th to the 41st clauses give Provincial Boards power to establish these, and to appoint the necessary teachers both for boys’ and girls’ schools. Clause 42 provides for the transfer of schools not established under the Act to the Board. Clause 43 empowers the Board to expend money for school libraries, works of art, and scientific apparatus necessary for illustration of lectures, as well as for Teachers’ Associations’ libraries ; and also for scholarships, exhibitions, &c. ; but the funds must be specially appropriated by the Provincial Council. When the inhabitants of a locality are too poor to pay school fees, power is given to provide a free school. Part 5, Clause 47 and 48, both inclusive, provides.that school fees shall be fixed by the School Committee, sanctioned by the Board, with power to remit payment for not more than six months in cases of poverty. The Board may also pay the school fees in need. The fees, whether collected by the teacher or treasurer, to bo paid to the School Committee, (To be continued.)