a Municipalities correspond somewhat to counties and townships in the United States. See footnote, p. 424. From fees for independent and subsidized schools. e School section assessments. TABLE V.—Percentage of school income from each contributing source. Ontario maintains a comprehensive system of education extending from the kindergartens (introduced into the system in 1882, now numbering 120, with an enrollment of 11,234 pupils) to the provincial university, which derives a portion of its income ($118,000 in 1900) from public lands and under a recent law (university act of 1900) must report annually to the lieutenant-governor. The characteristic features of the system are the centralized control, securing uniformity of standards and school equipment throughout the Provinces; the very equitable regulations in regard to separate schools for Roman Catholic and for Protestant pupils, where desired; the provision for assuring the professional training of all teachers, and the close correlation of the several grades of schools by means of wellconsidered courses of study, uniform text-books, and examinations conducted by the central authority. Central authority.-The central authority, or department of education, consists of the members of the executive government, its chief being the minister of education. The minister [to quote Mr. Millar, deputy minister of education] directs all the educational forces of the country; first, from his place as a member of the legislative assembly, and, secondly, through the officers of his department. From the discussions of educational questions in the provincial parliament his position as a member gives him the best facilities for recognizing the working of the school law and ascertaining the trend of public opinion, As the head of his department, his constant official intercourse with trustees, inspectors, and teachers gives him the greatest opportunity for prescribing from time to time whatever amendments to the regulations may be considered wise in the interests of public high schools. From the wide sweep of the legislation which he is expected to direct, and from his position as a member of the government responsible to the people's representatives, he is able to advance such legislation as will guard the unity of the system and preserve its symmetry. Extensive powers are given to the education department, but every regulation or order in council made under the statute giving it an existence or under the public, separate, or high schools act, must be laid before the legislative assembly. It has power, subject to the provisions of any statute in that behalf, to make regulations: (1) For the classification, organization, government, and examination of all schools and institutions (specified in the law) and for the equipment of schoolhouses and the arrangement of school premises. (2) For the authorization of text-books for the use of pupils attending such schools or institutes, and for the selection of books of reference for the use of teachers and pupils and school libraries. (3) For determining the qualifications and duties of inspectors, examiners, and teachers of such schools and institutes, and for the appointment from time to time of such examiners as may be requisite for that purpose. (4) For the payment of the pensions of superannuated inspectors and teachers, and the proper distribution of all moneys set apart by the legislative assembly for school purposes. (5) For extending on the petition of a board of school trustees, and on such evidence as to efficiency as may be deemed necessary, any third-class certificate (teacher's) issued under the authority of the public-school act. (6) For the study of agriculture and for scientific instruction as to the nature of alcoholic stimulants and narcotics with special reference to their effect upon the human system. The education department has power also: (1) To appoint inspectors of high schools, separate schools, and county model schools, masters of normal and model schools, and directors of teachers' institutes. (2) To affiliate with the schools of pedagogy such high schools or collegiate institutes as may be necessary for practical instruction in the art of teaching. (3) To determine the fees to be paid by candidates at departmental examinations. (4) To accept in such subjects as may be deemed expedient the examinations of any university in the British dominions in lieu of the departmental examinations. (5) To prescribe such forms for school registers and departmental reports as may be deemed expedient. (6) To accept, on passing the annual departmental examination, the professional or training certificate of any normal school or other training institutions in the British dominions. The minister of education is the active agent through whom the above powers are exercised. He makes an annual report to the lieutenant-governor upon the schools and other institutions under the control of his department, with such statements and suggestions for promoting education generally as he may deem useful and expedient. He has power to decide upon all disputes and complaints laid before him the settlement of which is not otherwise provided by law, and upon all appeals made to him from decisions of any inspector or other school officer." Local authorities.—The municipal system of Ontario is admirably adapted to the maintenance of local self-government. The Province is divided into counties, which are subdivided into minor municipalities. These consist of townships, incorporated villages, towns, and cities. The municipal councils have certain powers and responsibilities in respect to education. Through their municipal councils the counties must make grants of money for high schools, and both coun a Millar's Educational System of the Province of Ontario, pp. 10, 11. ties and townships grants of money for public or elementary schools. Every township is subdivided into school sections, corresponding to a school district in our States, each of which must be provided with a public school. Every incorporated village, town, and city forms a school district. In each of these districts the rate payers (that is, the persons who pay a property tax) elect a board of school trustees, men and women being equally eligible to the positions. These trustees appoint the teachers, who must have a government diploma, and determine the amounts to be expended for buildings, equipments, and salaries. Schools.-Subject to the provisions of any statute relating thereto and the regulations of the department, the following schools may be established by the local boards of school trustees: (1) Kindergartens, (2) public schools, (3) night schools, (4) high schools and collegiate institutions, (5) art schools, (6) county model schools, (7) normal schools, (8) schools of pedagogy, (9) teachers' institutes, (10) mechanics' institutes, and (11) industrial schools. Sources of income.-The schools are supported by provincial grant and local taxes. The provincial grant for education comprises (1) grants to elementary schools, (2) grants to secondary schools, (3) grants for the training of teachers, and (4) grants for technical education. The legislative grant for elementary schools is apportioned by the minister of education" among the several counties, townships, cities, towns, and incorporated villages according to the population in each as compared with the whole population of the Province as shown by the last annual returns received from the municipal clerks (provided that the amount payable in every rural school in the territorial districts shall be at least $100)." The amount so apportioned is distributed among the school sections of each township "according to the average attendance of pupils at each public school as compared with the whole average number of pupils attending the public schools of the township." (School law 1901, section 7.) The municipal council of every township is authorized to levy and collect by assessment upon the taxable property of the public-school supporters of the whole township, in the manner provided by the school law and by the municipal and assessment laws, the sum of $150 at least for every public school which has been kept open the whole year exclusive of vacations. Where the school has been kept open for six months or over, a proportionate amount of the said sum of $150 at least is levied and collected by assessment upon the taxable property of the whole township. An additional sum of $100 at least is levied and collected in a similar manner for every assistant teacher engaged for the whole year, and a proportionate amount if such assistant teacher was engaged for six months or over. The council of every municipality levies and collects upon the taxable property of the municipality (or of the sections in the case of rural schools) such sums as may be required by the trustees for school purposes. The council of every municipality may, in addition to any requisition of the public-school trustees, raise by assessment such other sums as it may deem expedient for the establishment and maintenance of a school library, or for aiding new or weak schools or continuation classes within such municipality, or for the support of model schools, or for supplementing teachers' salaries or retiring allow(School law 1901, sections 70, 71.) ances. [The amount appropriated for public and for separate Roman Catholic or Protestant schools is divided on the basis of average attendance in each, respectively.] |