HC Deb 19 June 1884 vol 289 cc813-4
MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether in consequence of the Judgment of the Court of Appeal, that a master of an Elementary School has ''no authority to impose upon children the duty of studying at home," he will revise the revised instructions to Inspectors by withdrawing from them that portion of Clause 51 in which it is declared a school marked "excellent" ought to provide "a regular system of home exercises?"

MR. MUNDELLA

I see no reason to modify the instructions. All the Judges decided was, that a child could not be detained against the will of the parent in schools because it had not prepared its home lessons. But this does not prevent managers and teachers from providing a regular course of home lessons for children in the higher Standards.

MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON

If a parent refuses permission to a child to learn home lessons, does the right hon. Gentleman still think that the authorities are justified in punishing the child?

MR. MUNDELLA

As I understand home lessons are not obligatory upon a child; and, therefore, the child ought not to be punished for not learning them. At the same time, I do not think that one parent in 1,000,000 will object to home lessons.

MR. RAIKES

Will the right hon. Gentleman take any steps to indicate what he has just stated to the School Boards throughout the country?

MR. MUNDELLA

It is not necessary to do so. The School Boards are very well aware of the fact already.

MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether, with reference to the presentation of the Education (New Code) Instructions issued to Her Majesty's Inspectors, and applicable to the Code of 1884, by Command, the said Paper was presented in the form of a blank sheet of paper?

MR. MUNDELLA

In order to save time and to secure an early distribution, I presented to the House the printed title page only of the "Instructions;" but they were actually in type at the time. The printing rests with the Stationery Office, and the circulation with the Vote Office, and I understand they will be delivered to Members to-morrow morning.