THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND GENTEEL EMPLOYMENT
Sir,—The Hon. Mr. Hanan expresses very strong opinions against the apparent preference of youths for genteel occupations as against trades and handicrafts, and that preference is confirmed by employers who loudly complain of the difficulty of getting boys to learn trades. But surely when the Minister implies that it should be the special function of secondary schools to influence pupils against genteel employments and in favour of trades, he is burlesquing the situation. If Mr. Hanan does not know that it is the free-place system in secondary schools that has brought about tho present impasse, then bo stands alone in his ignorance. Secondary schools have always stood for a commercial or professional career, and parents and boys alike consider it a waste of time to attend a secondary school, if a trade, is to be the boy's vocation. The secondary school is the reward for the socalled "proficiency" (heaven save the mark!) certificate, and confers a quasiaristocratic educational distinction. So much so, that many of the little aristocrats thereafter disdain to soil their fingers with work, domestic or otherwise, and tho mothers invariably abet them. Result, no trade apprentices, no domestic employees, few shop assistants. To expect tho principals and of secondary schools to influence pupils tc accept trades, etc., in lieu of genteel"employment is as reasonable as to ask a follow in Hades to keep cool.—l am, etc., CYNIC.
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Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2823, 14 July 1916, Page 6
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237THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND GENTEEL EMPLOYMENT Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2823, 14 July 1916, Page 6
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