NEW EDUCATION BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8082, 11 April 1906, Page 3

NEW EDUCATION BILL.

UNDENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS. SIMPLE BIBLE TEACHING PROVIDED. ATTENDANCE NOT COM-

_ PULSORY. Keceived 10,10.31 p.m. Losdo.v, April 10. Mr A. Birrell introduced into the Commons the Edncation Bill. It cnactß that from the beginning of 1908, all elementary schools became provided sohools, public control to be complete. There are no religious tests for teachers, but the ordinary staff are to give simple bible teaching from nine till a quarter to ten, no catechism or distinctive formularies to be used. Attendance is not to be compulsory until a quarter to cen. The local authority is to arrange with owners of voluntary schools for the use of school houses, and maintain the fabric at a cost of about £260,000 yearly, owners to retain their uso for evenings, and also on Saturdays and Sundays.

Religious instruction, of a special character may be given on two mornings of the week. If this is made condition of the transfer of voluntary schools, such instructions are to be given by a special instructor, not to be paid by the local authority. Attendance at secular instruction alone is compulsory. The authorities of urban areas are empowered, in the case of a transferred voluntary school, to permit the ocdinary teachers at a denomination's expense, to give special religious instructions daily, if the parents of four-lifths of the children attending so dosire, and if there is accommodation in the other class schools of the district for children whose parents do not dosire such denominational instruction.

The Bill proposes, besides the existing Exchequer grants, an annual grant of a million sterling. The actual cost is thrown on the 1 local authority. I Bill establishes a National Council of education for Wales.

Received 11, 12.21 a.m London, April 10. The Education Bill appoints a commission ef three, wherein tlu legal element is predominant, to deal with schools held under trusts' jurisdiction. It is believed (he majority of the | schools wi 11 accept the transfer.