The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 42
II.—Questions Under the Regulations
II.—Questions Under the Regulations.
I take advantage of this opportunity to express the proper effect of the Regulations on some questions of general interest.
1. The Regulations generally are to be understood as being a standard or model, to be reached as far as may be, having reference to the varying resources and different circumstances of each particular school as compared with another. In their application to any given ease Inspectors and Trustees are to exercise a wise and prudent discretion, and upon this mainly depends their beneficial and useful operation.
2. Inspectors will understand that they have no power to withhold the Legislative grant from any School Corporation, but should report the facts to the Minister, in cases where it is considered there has been wilful omission or neglect. It is to be specially noticed that the hints for the guidance of Teachers as to the Programme or Course of Study should govern them; and that it is for the Trustees and Teacher to impose any time or limit table for use in the School.
3. As to School accommodation, Inspectors should consider the Regulations as recommendatory; and that the circumstances of each section must be regarded, in order that its resources may not be unduly affected.
4. Inspectors are requested to be careful in exercising any authority to set aside any election or proceeding at a school meeting, or to summon one on their own motion, and should proceed only upon formal reasons in writing. While the law and regulations are explicit as to their duties, they should endeavour always to act impartially, and thus justify the continued confidence of the County Councils who appoint them, and of the Education Department.
5. Inspectors should carefully consider the grounds on which they may recommend to the Minister the granting of a temporary certificate or of any extension of Third-class Certificates.
6. The constant attempts to evade the law in introducing un-authorized Text Books is an evil which demands the immediate and personal attention of every Public School Inspector.
7. The functions of County Boards of Examiners, since August, 1878, are confined solely to the granting of Third-class Certificates, or their renewal upon re-examination, or their withdrawal or suspension.
8. Each member of the County Board is directed not to be concerned in examining or valuing papers of any candidate who has been instructed by him, or in the School with which he is connected. The Presiding Inspector will see that this rule is observed.
9. As to authorized Text Books, the Regulations of July, 1877, expressly prohibit Teachers from substituting for any of the old Text Books any newly authorized one unless and until he has received the sanction of the Trustees and of the Public School Inspector. All the old Text Books if in use in any school before the end of the year 1878, remain authorized in such school, and can only be changed by the Trustees and School Inspector jointly concurring.
10. The Regulations of July, 1877, were intended to meet the urgent and general demands for a revision of the Text Books, and to carry out the work which the Council of Public Instruction had begun. It was not the policy or intention of the Minister to go further, or to recommend any new Text Books on any subject except where the Council of Public Instruction had proposed this, or it was clear there existed a special want; yet, notwithstanding knowledge of this by publishers and others, persistent efforts have been and are constantly made to induce Inspectors, Teachers, and officials to recommend for purchase and use in the schools new works not only unauthorized but as to which no publisher could have had any reasonable expectation that any of them would be authorized. The law expressly prohibits any Teacher, Trustee, Inspector, or other person officially connected with the Education Department, Normal School, Model School, Public or High Schools, to become or act as agent for any person to sell, or in any way to promote the sale of, any School. Library, Prize or Text Books, Maps, Charts, School Apparatus, Furniture or Stationery for use in any School, or to receive any compensation or other remuneration for such sale or for the promotion thereof. In his endeavours to secure the observance of these provisions of the Law, the Minister hopes to obtain the co-operation of all School Corporations and officials, including Teachers generally.
11. As to County Model Schools—there is no Institution more important in its educational results, and while in all Counties of the Province this is fully appreciated, it is to be noticed that the Model School is for County purposes, and County Councils must rely on them for supplying their Counties with qualified Teachers. The Department has discharged its duty in affording these opportunities and the Legislature in providing a share of the expense. Nothing so economical or beneficial can be offered for the continued confidence and support of County Councils. While the Model Schools are subject to inspection by the Department, through the High School Inspectors, the general supervision rests with the County Inspector, upon whose zeal, and interest much of the success of the Model School in his County will depend.
12. The subject of Text Books in the High Schools require the same observations as have been made in the case of Public Schools.
Adam Crooks
, Minister of Education.Education Department
(Ont
.), Toronto, March 14, 1879.