THIS NELSON EDUCATION ACT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 370, 21 May 1856, Page 7

THIS NELSON EDUCATION ACT.

We propose to-day to bring before our readers the main features of the Education Act. winch has been lately passed by the Provincial Council of Nelson, and which will come into force next mouth.

The machinery of the plan will be set in motion'by the Superintendent. He i.s empowered, in the first instance, to form the educational districts, which are afterwards to be formed by a Central Board, and to do all that is necessary for carrying the Act into operation till the Central Board is appointed. The funds for establishing and maintain' ing schools are (o be raised by a rate of £1, levied annually on every householder, and of ss. for every child of such householder between the ages of five and fifteen ; it being provided, however, that not more than four children are paid for, and not any children, who are attending other schools. Grants also may be voted by the Provincial Council, and lands may be reserved for Educational purposes.

Local Committees are to be formed in the several Educational Districts consisting each of nine persons elected by the householders of the district. The Committees are to appoint a.U neceSsSary teachers: no person however, can be eligible as a teacher, who has not received a certificate of competency from the Central Board. These committees also will decide upon the general course of instruction and discipline to be followed in the schools of their respective districts. Their decision, however, will be subject to the confirmation of an Inspector appointed by the Central Board.

The Central Board will consist of persons elected annually by the local committees.— one person by each committee, —and of a member of the Executive Council appointed by the Superintendent. This board is to have the power of forming new districts, and altering old ones. The distribution of all funds is to be in their hands. It will be their duty to erect and maintain schools, to pay the teachers, and to provide books, Sec. In case of neglect on the part of any local committee, the Central Board is empowered to sppply its place. They are to provide when they see fit for districts not yet constituted into Educational Districts. They aie to give certificates of competency to candidatesfor the office of Masteror Teacher. An Inspector is to be appointed by them and to be under their direction, who will have free access at all times into schools v/hollv, or in part, supported by the public money. Lastly, the Central Board are to transmit half-yearly reports to the Superintendent and Speaker of the Council, shewing1 the condition of the Province as regards Education.

There are to be no school-fees. All the schools will be open to all children, without payment: except in the case of evening schools, where a small payment will be made. Religious instruction may be given in the schools ; but it is declared by the 15th cause of the act '■ that this instruction shall be free from all controversial character, and shall be imparted at such hours that any parents objecting thereto may be able to withdraw their children from the school at the time when it is given."' c have difficulty in understanding "what is meant by religious instruction free from all cuntrover-

t>ial character, raid our difficulty is not lessened by Dr. Muiiio's statement in the Council, " that the bill is not of the secular character described by its opponents ; although under it the Secular, Denomina-

tioual, and other systems ruisrht be adopted, just as the majority of parents in any district mi.yht think proper.'' How this can )>e, in the face of such a clause as that which we have just quoted, we are at a loss to conceive. From the particulars which we have given, it appears that the main features of the Nelson Bill are these :—

1. A rate is to be levied on a!l householders, to raise funds for educational purpos"s. 2. The whole working of the system is to_. be in the hands of per-

sons chosen by the ratepayers. 3. Education in the schools is to be open to all children without payment. 4. The religious teaching is to be free from all controversial character.

We believe that some parts of the Nelson plan will not work well, and will need amendment, and we are sure that in our own province, at least, other parts of it would not work at all. Still we most sincerely congratulate our neighbours at Nelson on the zeal which prevails amongst them both with respect to the education of the young, and the instruction of all. In addition to the establishment of a rate, which will probably raise about £2000 from the present population, the Council have voted the sum of £350 to assist existing schools till the Education Act comes into force, and £1500 in aid of the rates. And they have done more than this. We believe that in former years considerable sums have been granted for the establishment of libraries and reading rooms, and this year the sum of £250 has been voted for libraries in Nelson, and in country districts, and the sum of £180 for the establishment of reading rooms, to meet equivalent subscriptions. We trust that our own. Council will not forget, this important supplement to an Educational grant, when they have the means in their hands.