Truant Scholars.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 14 July 1891, Page 2

Truant Scholars.

♦ — I The School' Committee, at its last meeting, decided to enforce the compulsory clauses of the Education Act. We do not like the sound of the word •• compulsion," but the astonishing negligence so many parents show to their children's welfare, by not seeing that they attend the State School, makes it necessary, in >common fairness to the State, which provides the cost, and the children who attend, to keep the school up in numbers. Cases have been brought under our notice, quite recently, where children who have been away months, have suddenly made their appearance at school with the assertion "please sir, we are to attend regularly till the examination is held 1" Nioe pupils ! happy master! What can he do with two months work ? he will be blamed, and the general credit of the scholars lowered, by these additions. It must be clear to any thinking i parent that when the school, a short time previous to an examination, is rushed by such scholars, the masters time must be taken away from those who have been regularly attending, as the Board only grants the number of teachers allowed to a school upon the average, quarterly attendance. The regular attendants at school are those who make the average, and when a sudden increase comes, the school is under-officered. Under these circumstances it is necessary that some effort should be made, and this has been determined upon. The clauses of the Act are to this effect : — If the parent or guardian of any child between the ages of 7 and 18, resident within two miles of a public school, not holding a certificate of exemption (which can be obtained from the Committee on certain grounds) refuses or neglects to send such child to a public school after having been called upon by a notice in writing from the Cleerk or. any member of the Committee, may be summoned before any two Justioes who may order such child to school. It is provided that the parent or guardian neglecting to obey such order shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding forty shillings, and the same proceedings may be taken week by week in case of failure of the parent to comply. - The compulsion to attend school means that such child shall be sent for at least one half of the period in each year during which the school is usually open. We know that the Committee has no desire to , .act harsMy, and any real cases for exr emption would be granted, but that they mean to act strictly in all oases where no excuse, as allowed by the Act. can Be shown. We would advise all parents to round their children up and save both trouble and expense.