66. Duchess of ATHOLLasked the President of the Board of Education what Foreign States or provinces of the Dominions have raised the school-leaving age above 14 years; and which of these states or provinces, if any, have both a school year consisting of as many hours' 607 attendance as are required in this country, and a system under which no exemptions are permitted below the school-leaving age?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANAs regard the first part of the question, the countries concerned are:
§ Norway;
§ Fourteen of the cantons of Switzerland;
§ Forty-three of the 48 States of the United States of America and the District of Columbia;
§ The provinces of Nova. Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Alberta in Canada;
§ All four provinces of the Union of South Africa (as regards children of European descent).
§ As regards the second part of the question, the only country which appears both to require as much attendance per annum as is required in this country and to make no provision for exemption is Norway, as regards its urban schools.
Duchess of ATHOLLIs it not a fact that in Norway a very short school year is required in the rural schools?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANThat may be so, but I hope that we shall do better here.