More Aid for Voluntary Schools
The new EduCation Bill whose text was published on Tuesday holds to the compromise between State and 'Church education arrived at by the Act of 1944 and its subsequept modifications; but it does ease the position a little for the Churches—who have about 11,000 schools in England and Wales to the State's 18,000. The Roman Catholics, with their 1,800 schools, who more than the Church of England have gone into the " aided " group (thus keeping control but bearing Most of the financial responsibility)—and have incidentally com- plained most about costs—will benefit from the clause allow- ing the Ministry of Education to make a grant of up to 50 per cent. for " aided " schools in new districts providing for a substantial number of children in whatever way they have come to the district; now it is only when a large group of children moves all together that such a grant is available. Controlled" voluntary schools, mainly Church of England, which are financed and staffed by the Local Education Authority subject to certain obligations of consultation with the managers, will benefit too. Permission is given by the Bill to Local Authorities to build new " controlled " schools to replace old buildings, Whereas now only enlargement is allowed. A third provision enables the Minister to give financial help in the adaptation of existing buildings as voluntary schools; the Churches will re- ceive help when they purchase houses and convert them. These concessions will a little ease the financial burdens which have become heavier, with rising building costs; they have the sup- port of both parties and have been discussed at length with the Churches and Local Authorities. •
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