SCHOOL-ENTRY AGE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1932, Page 8

SCHOOL-ENTRY AGE

• INTERPRETATION OF LAW PARL!Atot } $ INTENTIONS f ' { '] ■ . WELLINGTON, August 2. Although ! education boards are able under the legislation-increasing,the permissive school entry ageto six, to ad*" mit children at the beginning of,a term if they will turn six during that period the * Minister of Edcutaton, Hon; R. Masters, pointed out in a statement on Saturday that ’ the express;. intention of the law was to restrict entry'until the age of six. The Minister’s statement was prompted by representations by. the Nelson Education Board, which contended:'the neiv law did not prevent it from adopt-ihg-vthe above course of action if 1 it - wished... ■. p- • ,; ‘ri - ; Cl f

• ?‘There is no doubt,” the Minister said,; a “that the manifest intention . Of. the/Legislature was to restrict the age * of's admission to six years, and that , being sq, I feel that boards should, and willj •: respect, such intention; At the same-time ; I appreciate the fact that, v. provided they are not placed on the roll, the existing law does, npt preclude children from attendance at the beginning, of the term during which they • attain the age of six years should the, boards decide to admit them. . ' “From the point of view of continuity of work, I can see that, there, are certain advantages in the suggestion that children should be allowed ’" to enter school at the beginning of the term during which they 1 reach six, but if they* are so admitted" I feel that it should be done by Act of Parliament. I have no doubt that 1 1 shall 'have the co-operation of the boards-in giving effect, to the expressed intention of the Legislature.”,