35

H.—l

In clause 51 of " The Education Act, 1877," it is provided that the holder o a scholarship "shall continue his or her education at any school or education institution Under the control of the Board at which the higher branches of education arc taught; but if there bo no such school or institution in the district where the holder of the scholarship resides, then at such school, subject to inspection by Public School Inspector, as tlie Board may approve of." We attach such great importance to the consideration that the scholars whose education is undertaken at so great a cost by the State should receive the advantage of the best instruction which the educational system of the colony affords, that Ave do not hesitate to recommend that the clause above quoted should be made to apply to those schools only which are secondary schools in the strict sense of the term. We do not think that the State would be Warranted in instituting valuable scholarships to be held at primary schools, or even at district high schools, where the education provided is free or inexpensive. The purpose of providing such scholarships clearly is to bring the somewhat costly education afforded by fully-equipped secondary schools within the reach of children of good ability, Avho might otherwise be prevented by Avant of means from enjoying this advantage. In any amendment that may be made of the Education Act care should be taken so to alter clause 51 as to make it clear that only secondary schools are intended. We Avould also suggest, in accordance with a recommendation made in another part of this report, that for the Avords " Public School Inspector" should be substituted " persons appointed by the Minister of Education." In some of the education districts the competition for the scholarships is open to all children, Avhile in others it is restricted to the children attending the public primary schools, We are unable to see any sufficient reason for excluding from the competition children educated privately or at the schools maintained by particular religious denominations. On the other hand, if secondary subjects are included in the examination, as Ave have recommended Avhen the age of the competitors exceeds thirteen, it is obvious that children taught at secondary schools, which have a larger staff and more complete arrangements for imparting this kind of instruction, will have a better chance of success than those coming from the primary schools. A portion of the scholarships may thus be expected to fall to children Avho have no better claim to them than that their parents are able to give them exceptional advantages. It should be borne in mind, too, that the main object in establishing these scholarships is to draft deserving children from the loAver to the higher schools, and that this object Will to some extent be frustrated if children already attending the higher schools be alloAved to enter for the competition. We have already exjwessed an opinion that the scholarships of the Education Boards should be tenable only at secondary schools strictly so called. Eor the reasons above stated we further recommend that no candidate be admitted to the competition for these scholarships Avho has attended within one year of the time of the examination any school at which the scholarships are tenable. This recommendation is made, however, subject to the provision that any holder of a scholarship obtained at a lower, limit of age shall be entitled to compete again for scholarships offered for competition at a higher limit of age. Apart from the restriction just noted, Ave are of opinion that the competition for the scholarships should be entirely open. It may be observed that the scholarships range in value Avithin rather Avide limits —from £10 to £50. By far the greater number, however, are from £20 to £-10 in annual value. Some of the Boards make a distinction between the case of holders of scholarships Avho are able to reside in their own homes Avhile attending an authorized school, and that of those Avho have to be sent from home in order to attend school, the latter class receiving an augmented allowance. In most of the districts the tenure of the scholarships is for tAVO years, and in some districts competitions are held at different limits of age, so as to afford an opportunity of obtaining a renewal of tenure. We do not think it necessary to make any general recommendations regarding the value or the tenure of the scholarships, as we believe the experience of the Boards will indicate the best means of adapting them to local conditions. We may remark, however, that care should be taken so to frame the scholarship regulations as to bring the holders, before the expiry of their tenure, within reach of the scholarships offered by the University.

f As to schools l in which they may be held. e

1 As to the schools , from "which candiJ dates may come. 1 f

J Money value of Board \ scholarships.