The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, FEB. 21, 1893. Feiiding State School

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 104, 21 February 1893, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, FEB. 21, 1893. Feiiding State School

We are gratified to know that the Feilding State School committee have decided, according to the report published in our columns of the proceedings at the last meeting of that body, to bring into active force the compulsory clause of the Education Act, and comprl parents who neglect to send their children to school, to do so. The committee have deserved well both of the parents and the scholars. The playground has been enlarged and otherwise improved, while the comforts of the youngsters have been considerably added to in other ways. Numer ous prizes were given last year, and more will be given at the end of the period now current if the scholars will only take the trouble to earn them by regular attendance, diligence, and attention to their studies. The apathy of many of the parents is very reprehensible, to use the mildest term of reproach. For instance, only two pupils in the whole number of scholars, earned first class prizes last year, which means that only two of them had never missed a day in attending. In this matter it can only be the parents who are to blame, and the proposed vigorous action of the committee is perfectly justified under the circumstances. While determined to teach parents their duty, the committee intend to hold out special inducements to the children. For the latter we understand the prizes will bi? numerous, and in some cases valuable, while for both parents and their families then; will be a conceit and picnic, so that they cannot complain that " it's all work and no play." Of course there is always the excuse given by some people that they have to keep their children at home to work. This is a vf-ry poor reason, because the work which can be done by children whose ages range from seven to twelve years must be, comparatively speaking, of very little yalue, while the loss to the children is incalculable. Tt is not meant to be implied that Feilding is worse than any other places is this respect, but we contend that it should be a great deal bet 1 er and show an example which might well be followed by other country towns with similar surroundings. We object strongly to seeing parents hauled before the Resident Magistrate aud compelled to do that justice to their families which they should do cheerfullyand willingly, having a proper regard for their future welfare by letting their sons and daughters receive the full benefit of our splendidly liberal system of Education.