TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 297, 4 September 1918, Page 6

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

CONFERENCE OF DIRECTORS

THE YEARS OF ADOLESCENCE

A conference of directors of technical snhools and supervisors of manual training centres was oponed yesterday in the board room at tho Education Hoard, offices. The members of tho conference/ wero Messrs.- W. S. Lα Trobe, chairman (Wellington.),. A. G. Tqmpkies CWestport, F. J. Cockburn (Neisou), R. Grant (Christchurch),' J. P. ]f»l:iugher (Auckland), W. Fosse? (Timaru), A. Gray (Now Plymouth), F. I) Opie (Palmorston North), J. H. Howeli (Christchurch), J. E. Newton (Napier), ■* A. L. Moore (Ashlmrton), George George - (Auckland), and G. J. Park (Wanganui). The Dircotor of Education. Dr. W. J. Anderson, Director of Education, who was present at the invitation ai the conference, addressed the meeting. He said that the Department was only too anxious to cooperate with the directors of technical schools in their efforts to advance education. Technical education was really the question of the hour, and it was plainly the duty of the Govornment and the Department to do everything possible to improve that branch of work. There were many other problems, but he thought the greatest of them ail was the education of the boy or girl between the ages of fourteen and eighteen years. Any suggestions on this matter from the coitfer'once "would be gratefully received by tho Department. At present ho was engaged in an examination of the administration of technical education; and it seemed to him 'that the time had arrived for reviewing the system of payment. Hitherto they had adopted the English system, but it had been found in England that tho system involved an enormous amount of clerical work. Hβ was not sure whether the claims made on the Department for capitation for students for. attendance at classes had always'besnfair claims. Tho wish of the Department; wfcs not to curtail expenditure to the detriment of education, but to see that the money was properly used. At present the public mind, was excited about education questions, and the Department had | been blamed .'for not aiving heed to tho | pioposais made. He considered that j the conference inight give tho Depart- ! nient a lead on many matters, and then '> it would bo 'for the State to find the j money necessarv to permit of the lead j being followed up. ' Cenera! Business.

Tho conference then proceeded to deal with the on the order paper.

On the motion of Mr. George the following resolution was carried: "That in remote country districts continuation and technical education classes for boys between fifteen and eighteen years ■ot age be provided at special centres, say, of a month or six weeks in tho year."

Tlie following was agreed to on the morion of Mr. Grant: "That the Minister be urged to'provide separate • representation on the Council of Education both for members of the technical school boards and for technical school teachers. Mr. Howell moved, and it was agreed: liTbat the privilege of free education should bo extended, to all who have left day schools to attend an approved course and pay a deposit a£ guarantee of their earnestness." It was decided that the Minister., be asked to allow directors more discretionary powers in accepting as free pupils transferees from other schools'. Another remit carried was as follows: "That the principle whereby grants are made to cover maintenance of primary schools be extended so as to apply to technical .schools." . . ; ■ Conference, after ■ discussion, decidod to form itself into an association, and forthwith the meeting, adopted a set of rules. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as tfoMowis:—President, •Mγ. W. S. ha Trobe; secretary and treasurer, Mr. Park;.additional member of the executive. Mr. J. H. .Howell. The Years After School. Mr. George submitted to the conference the following' very important remit, which had been carried by last conference: (1) "That the primary oourse of education shall be remodelled 80 us to bo completed at the ago of 12 years; (2) that full day-time education shall bo compulsory up to the age of 15 years; (3) that for pupils from VI to 15.years of age such educational provision shall be made that due consideration may bo given to the probable future vocation of the child; (4) that the State should make maintenance allowances to parents where necessary, to prevent them from suffering hardships owing children being compelled to iittend full day-time classes until they are 15 yeara of age instead of going to work." The motion was seconded "by Mr. W. S. La Trobe, and it wns freely discussed by the conference. Tho resolution was aereed to, and the executive, with Mr. Kalanjrher, was empowered to 'draft a scheme for the cavr.yiiig,out of the proposals in the remit.

Cultural Training. Mr. Howell moved, and it was agreed:- "That in the opinion of tho conference )'o education, however much it may bo concerned with literary or acamedic studies, is liberal if it fails to arouse the interest and self-activity of the mipil, whereas an education thVt succeeds in this respect, because it deals with matters that his daily life, may he essentially liberal. An education that mny enable the worker to find joy in his work is the fundamental need of to-day, and to be. successful, n system of 'continuation eduction must make this its primary aim." I" tho course, of his remarks Dr. Anderson hod favoured the omnions snt out in the remit, and th»y were generally approved by the conference. Other Branches of Education. The following.remit relating to physical training was agreed to: "That this conference submits that insufficient attention is being )>id to the physique of our young persons, unci that the Department be urged to subsidise funds raised by local education authorities jjpr providing properly equipped gymnasia to the (.-stent of not less than £2 per £1 contributed; further, that such gymnasia should bo considered essential in any scheme of continuation education. Mr. Newton moved this remit, which was carried: "That whereas our present educational system appears to pay no specific attention to the preparation of the child in those social activities which tend to teach it how to spend in the homo its leisure time to the best advantage, this conference urges tho Minister to make'such provision as will ensure tho stimulation of the practice nf vocal and instrumental music being taught in all schools." On the motion of Mr. Park it was agreed, "That the Minister of Kducation he _ asked to appropriate moneys to provido hostels for country pupils attending technical schools." In support of tho remit it was urged thnfc under present conditions it wan difficult or impossible for country punils to net the advantage of technical education. Value of Travel, Tho conference adopted the following

remit practically without debate: "That tho Department bn urged to sot asido in each yea: a sum to defray the travel' ling expenses of two representative educationists to be chosen in rotation from the university, secondary, technical, and primary services respectively, who would subsequently report on their investigations; and further, recommends that the Director of Technical Education ho given an early opportunity of making such a trip to other countries." After considerable discussion of tho problem of continuation classes in daytime hours,-the conference adopted the following resolution, proposed by Mr. George George: "That except in remote country districts, and 'except in cases where an approved standard of education has been reached, all boys and girls shall be compelled i:ntii i.he end of the year in. which they r?coh the ago of 18 .years during.-ivorkmg hours U) receive instruction for not less than eight hours per,week, and for 36 weeks in tho year, at continuation and technical classes." The conference resumes to-day, and to-morrow members will meet the Efficiency Board.