EDUCATION MATTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 404, 1 May 1902, Page 3

EDUCATION MATTERS.

INSPECTING PRIVATE SCHOOLS (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. The threatened prosecution of parents whose children attend private schools for not sending them to public schools led the principals of sevejal private schools to apply at a meeting of the Education Hoard for exemption under the School Attendance Act. Certificates of exemption were granted. Mr McKenzie raised the question of the examination of pupils attending private schools by the Hoard’s Inspector^ The Chairman, Mr Bagnall, did not 'think the Board should do it. The Education Department should undertake the work. ■ Mr McKenzie suggested that private schools might he asked to contribute towards The cost of examination. Mr Bagnall said the Roman Catholics had declined, and if the Board undertook the examination of private schools it would mean large expense. Mr Muir was of the opinion' that the time was coming when all these schools would lie inspected by a Go/vernment Inspector, and there would be grants to all denominational schools. It was coming as surely as day followed the night. ... '* The matter was then dropped. Prom time to time, the Education Board has come across peculiarities in the Act, providing for a colonial scale for the payment of teachers. Another instance was mentioned at the meeting of the Board to-day. Under the regulations the Hoard is compelled to .staff the school according to the returns for the previous year, which means that if an abnormal increase takes place after the end of the year there is no power to make provision for it by the appointment of extra teachers. On the other hand should •there be a marked falling-off the Board can Still Staff on the larger figures- ol the previous year. It would naturally handicap the work of a school if no provision could be made for unusual increases, and it was decided to bring this difficulty under tne notice ol the Minister of Education.