TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 53, 26 November 1919, Page 6

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

' J MEETING OP BOARD. The Technical Educntion Board met last evening. .Mr. G. Frost presided.' There were present Messrs. Bullinger, Partridge, Forsyth, Stewart, Clark, Shand, Thompson, Gore, and Bennett. The director (Mr. J. H. Howell) proposed, in accordance with tho recommendations of the conference on school vacations, that the terms for next year be as follow:—Technical High School and day art classes: February 2 to Mov 7; May 31 to August 20; September 13 to December 16. Evening school: February 16 to May 7; May 31 to August 20; September 13 to November 26. ■ The above dates were adopted by tho board v Mr. Howell reported that tho Mayor had consented to Kraut the use. of the Council Chamber for tho annual prize, distribution, on December 10. Tho Concort Chamber was not available. In his report on an inspection nVndo in September last, Mr. W. S. Austin stated: "Tile various branches of vocational training are faithfully and efficiently dealt with as far as the available means hn'vo permitted. It would appear that the commercial side is unduly popular, but possibly this is tho result of tlie ever-recurring demands from business firms for ex-students of the college to fill vacancies caused bv Boldier-membcrs of their staffs declinim' on their return, to take up their old positions at tho office _ desk. In all courses, with the exception of ono special commercial class, tho definite jroncral instruction of a' cultural nature, which is not the least important part of tho training of tho young people of both sexes whatever' Iheir plans fur the future may be, is receiving full attention, and students on I he, completion of their studies should be able to go out into their respective trades, professions or homo occupations not only with n thorough grounding in tho underlying principles thereof, but also with a mind so trained as to fit them to become intelligent members of tho community. In the matter of tho studies in English it is questionable whether or not the programme Is too ambitious. Very good work is being done'in training the pupils to think nnd speak "on their feet." and soni£..remarkn!>lo efforts were made, cspecinl'.v by. the girls, in discussions on Set and'general subjects. _ In these attempts there was a striking absenco of wlf-consciousness. There would seem, however, to bo a danger that (he diffident may not bo induced to take their duo share in the work, which may thus (all short of its full value. In written English thorn is a striving after n fine 6tyle especially in work, but here, too, Micro is tho possibility of overreaching. Indeed, thero was some carelossnoss in or indifference to the simpler matters.of spelling nnd grammatical construction, though these nre givon full attention in the treatment of formal grammar and word-building,"