Ordered, THAT a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the Constitution of the Thursday, 5th July 1866. Ordered, THAT the Committee have power to report their Observations, together with the REPORT. THE SELECT COMMITTEE appointed to inquire into the Constitution of the COMMITTEE of COUNCIL on EDUCATION, and the system under which the business of the office is conducted; and also into the best mode of extending the benefits of GOVERNMENT INSPECTION and the PARLIAMENTARY GRANT to SCHOOLS at present unassisted by the STATE; HAVE considered the matters to them referred, and have agreed to the following REPORT: YOUR COMMITTEE have devoted their attention for the greater part of two Sessions to the important inquiries entrusted to them. The evidence which they have taken, and of which they presented a portion last year, and now present the remainder, is of the highest value, and deserves careful attention. It raises several great questions of policy upon a subject of general interest: and many of the witnesses suggest material and fundamental alterations in the whole system of National Education, and in the constitution of the department of the Government at present charged with its administration. It touches not only upon modifications of the existing rules under which the State assists the voluntary efforts of private persons, but it raises the questions whether the action of the Central Department should not be more largely aided by local organisation; whether the principle of rating should not, to some extent, take the place of the principle of voluntary effort; and whether as a consequence of these changes, a system of mixed religious education must not be substituted for the denominational system now in operation. These are questions upon which it is obviously undesirable to disturb and unsettle the minds of those who are actively engaged in the promotion of the existing system, unless there is a clear prospect of arriving at conclusions which it may reasonably be expected that the Legislature will adopt. But it would be difficult to come to any such conclusion without a knowledge of the view which Her Majesty's Government might take of the subject. This knowledge, owing to a peculiar combination of circumstances, Your Committee are unable at present to obtain. During the whole of their inquiry they have had the advantage of the presence and the assistance of the Vice-President of the Committee on Education, who has represented the views of the Government of which he was a Member. At the moment, however, of proceeding to the discussion of their Report, that Right Honourable Gentleman only holds office until his successor shall be appointed. If Your Committee adjourn their proceedings until a new Administration has been formed, and has had time to consider the important and difficult questions to which reference has been made, it is obviously impossible that they should come to a conclusion in the present Session. Under these circumstances, Your Committee have decided, though with great regret, that they cannot, for want of time, enter with advantage upon the discussion of the important Draft Report presented to them by their Chairman, and have resolved to lay the Evidence alone upon the Table of Your Honourable House; leaving it for Your Honourable House to determine whether they shall be re-appointed next year, in order to prepare a Report thereon. 5 July 1866. |