EDUCATION LAW

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1926, Page 3

EDUCATION LAW

SCH 0 LARSHIP CON DITIONS UNCHANGED. AY ELLINGTON, Aug. 3. Changes in the conditions for junior and senior National Scholarships are among the points in an amendment of the -Education A ( t which was introduced in the House and referred after the second reading pro forma to the Education Committee. It was explained by Air AAT'ight, Minister of Education, that the Bill contained a number of amendments which had been asked for by boards, and some which were suggested hv the Department. In connection with the National Scholarships, the Bill provides that an applicant must submit a certificate from his principal stating not only that he is eligible and qualified to hold the scholarship, as the existing Act provides, but that -he has a reasonable chance of obtaining one. The age for candidates is reduced to thirteen in the case of junior scholarships and fifteen in the case of senior scholarships. This is a reduction of one year. The age is determined as that on December Ist, preceding the date of application. There is a saving clause preserving the rights of children who on December Ist., 1927, would otherwise he prejudiced by the operation of the propsed provision. The number of scholarships granted annually has hitherto been fixed at not less than one scholarship for every 500 children in average attendance at public schools. The quota is to he altered to not loss than one scholarship for every 750 children. Increased lodging allowance may lie paid to scholarship holders, up to £35 per annum for juniors and £SO pei annum for seniors.

The power given to teachers to expel or forbid the attendance of children from school on account of infectious disease or other cause is to he limited to suspending from attendance. This fact is to be notified to the Education Board which has power after inquiry, either m direct the child to he reinstated, to expel it or forbid attendance until the cause of complaint- has been rectified. Th© Bill extends the medical inspection of schools to all registered school buildings, which will include secondary schools. Issue of teachers’ licenses is to lie discontinued, though existing license holders will he eligible for appointment so long as their license remains in force.