The Sun.
London, England, 1870-02-22 00:00:00

THE EDUCATION BILL.

The Government Education Bill is of almost precisely
the same bulk as the Laud Bill, but is divided into a
greater number of clauses. These are eighty-eight in
number, arranged in two parts-1. Local provision for
schools; and 2, Parliamentary grants. The former part
-nbraces eighty-one out of the eighty-eight clauses.
SUPPLY OF SCHOOLS.

Every public elementary school within the scope of the
bill is to be subject to three regulations : it is to be open
at all times to her Majesty's inspectors--albeit, no in-
spector can deal with the religious instruction given,
except by permission from the Education Department ;
it must be conducted in accordance with the conditions
required to be fulfilled by an elementary school
in order to obtain an annual Parliamentary grant ; and no
t,hild is to he compelled to receive religions instruction
,:ontrary to the wishes of its parents. The earlier clauses
prescribe that there must be sufficient school accom-
modation in every district ; or if any region be
deficient, the Education Department will see
That its wants are attended to. Returns of
the educational means of the country will be made im-
mediately after the passing of the Act. Deciding by
these where schools are wanted, the Department will pub-
lish a notice setting forth the amount of provision that
may be required. If nobody takes the matter up—whether
the ratepayers or managers of some existing school—
within a month, a final notice will be published. If
nothing be done within a year, a school
board is to be formed. Filially, if this board
does not fulfil its duty, the Department 'will, after
.1 year, name some persons to do the work which the
defaulting board has neglected. The same process will be
repeated at any future tune.

'THE BOARD AND ITS DOINGS.

The measure treats first of the powers of the board, and
then of its constitution. By clauses 14 to 23 it is provided
teat the board may hand over the control of any school
w:iich they establish to a body of managers not fewer
than three. If the board misbehaves in any way, breaks
any regulations, or fails to comply with any, it will be
considered a " board in default," and this obnoxious con
p,)ration comes entirely under the thumb of the Education
Dopartment ; it may be increased, diminished, and dealt
with in general as Mr. Forster and his subordinates may
devise. It should be added that if a board
after election fails to provide school accommodation,
ai mentioned just above, that, too, will be deemed a
" board in default." In a word, if the board fail to do its
duty,.the education department will choose other persons.
13Lit supposing, as we may hope and expect, that the
board is up to the mark, its duties will be various. It
will exact a weekly fee ; but will have power to remit any
portion' or the whole, in cases of poverty. And it is im-
portantto note that such remission is not to be looked
upon as parochial relief. More than this, the board
may pay the whole or any part of the school fees payable
at any public elementary school by any child resident in
their district whose parents are, in their opinion, unable
from poverty to pay the same; but no such payment shall
be made or refused on condition of the child attending any
public elementary school other than such as may be
selected by the parent ; and such payment shall not be
deemed to be parochial relief given to such parent. Full
power is given to build and improve schools. Assistance
may be given to any elementary schools that are in need
of it • provided that similar assistance be given to all other
such schools as may be willing to receive it. The board is
elected by the town council in a borough, and by the
vestry in a parish. The number of the board is to be
three, or any multiple of three, not exceeding twelve.
If the board be! not elected within the proper
time, it will be considered as a " board in default." No
member can be concerned in any bargain for work ordered
by the board. There are some provisions for forming
school districts larger than a borough or a parish.