THE VICTORIAN EDUCATION ACT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2361, 31 July 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE VICTORIAN EDUCATION ACT.

Among the changes proposed by the Minister of Education {Professor Pearson) is the alteration of I lie limit of school age. At present it is from m years to fifteen, but, the new Bill proposes to reduce it from six to thirteen years, Children under four years are not to be admitted, and thi* change will, to use the words of tbo Minister, "prevent the schools being turned into State nurseries.' 1 The reduction of the school ace has rendered it necessary to inoiwHe the attendance, and Mr Poarson propound to make the mimimuin attendance 40 per quarter. The Miuister pointed out that the reduction of tbe school age meant a great saving to the State, as the children would be got rid of two years earlier, thereby effecting a saving of £15,000 per annum. The change would relieve the Inspectors of having to examine at least 10,000 children annually. In instances where oMldren are supposed to be educated at bom* the truant inspectors naturally look with suspicion on such cases, To meet this it is proposed that Inspectors shall be appointed to examine children half yearly who do riot attend-state schools. The Inspector will give a certificate that the child is being educated, and the parents will nat he annoyed for another six months. The Bill contains a provision allowing boards of advice sums varying from £3O to £SO per annum for effecting repairs to schools. Mr Pearson explained that provision would be made for small exhibition!), in order to provide incentives for scholars in Slate schools. Provision is also made for establishing a day industrial school, where children of the incorrigible class, known as gutter children, may be sent. If a truant officer finds a child habitually loitering or playing in the streets during school hours, he may take the youngster to the industrial school, and hand him over to the teacher, It is proposed to pro. vide meals at these schools, and th* charge per week for each child will lie fixed at about 3s. The system i* only to bo tried temporarily, and the cost is not estimated at more than £2OO jieiannum tor an ordinary school. Any parent who neglects to obey the order of the Justices directing tKafc a child shall attend an industrial school is liable, on conviction, to a sum not less than ss, nor exceeding 20s, for every day the child is ahsent from the sclviil without reasonable excuse. Briefly summed up, the amended Bill provides mora stringent regulations for carrying out the compulsory clauses oi the piesent Act.