apportion and distribute funds; communicate with local Boards; confirm the appointment or dismissal of teachers; regulate their salaries and the fees to be paid by pupils, with power to grant exemption to such as were unable to pay such fees; and superintend the establishment of new schools, district boards, and regulate endowments.
The local boards are elected by the inhabitants of the different districts, and consist of five members, holding office, like those of the Central Board, for three years, and exercising the same authority; they are however subject to its control.
The schools consist of two classes, general and assisted. In the former the instruction given is purely secular, and occupies four hours in the day; one hour being allowed, in addition, for such religious instruction as may be given by the religious body to which the children respectively may belong,—but no catechism, or distinctive religious formulary may be used by the teacher of the school, nor may the Inspector inquire into the proficiency of any scholar in religious knowledge.
Schools founded by voluntary efforts may be assisted by Government aid to the amount of the income derived from fees, or other contributions, but only such as have 30 scholars. No grant-in-aid for building purposes may be made to such schools.
All children between the ages of 6 and 14 years are required to attend Government schools, unless residing beyond the distance of three miles from any school, or receiving efficient instruction elsewhere. District Boards are empowered to make by-laws for enforcing compulsory attendance. The amount of the instruction
