COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2866, 23 April 1878, Page 3

COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

(To the Editor of tho Erening Star.) Sib,—Before the present system of education was brought into operation, under the signature of "X. E.," I wrote several letters in favor of Government schools being established for the education of those children whose parents could not afford to pay for them. Had I the remotest idea the children of the rich and those able to pay were to receive Government aid, I would not have put pen to paper, for the simple reason that the rich shut the poor out, especially where higher branches of education are taught in public schools. By being paid for as extras, they have an advantage in more ways than one in the public schools which the poor cannot get, and which ought not to be; all ought to be treated alike. There should be no higher branch for one than another in a public school —that is, no man should be allowed to pay for extras. Now sir, holding these views, I wish to know the reason so much interest is shown in forcing the parents of the poor to send their children to these public schools. It is only a poor man's question—the rich or well-to-do it does not touch. "What do■ the School Committee care a straw about my children's education P Or what business has any man to dictate as to where, when, or how, he shall educate his children; even if these men paid for their food and clothing for 13 or 14 years, I am doubtful of the right they would have to dictate as to now they should be educated. Sir, before the compulsory clauses are brought into operation the rich and the poor should be on an equal looting, and that is impossible both in living and education in our present system; or the man that can afford to pay for his childfen's education should not be allowed to send his children to a Government school. I hope there is no sickly sentimentality about this letter, or in saying if the present school committees are merged into one no quicker mode could be found of doing away with secular education; L.H.Eae. Thames, April 22nd, 1878.