TECHNICAL COLLEGES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 194, 12 May 1921, Page 8

TECHNICAL COLLEGES

DIRECTORS AND MANAGERS CONFER

REMITS ADOPTED YESTERDAY

Tho technical education conference was continued yesterday. In addition to tho college directors and the supervisors of manual training, who hud been present on the previous day, there were present yesterday the following members of technical college boards: —Mrs. 11. Ferner (Auckland); Messrs. 11. Trimble (Taranaki), C. P. Brown. M.A., W. 11. Swanger (Wanganui); T. W. Bear (Napier); W. H. Bennett, 11. Bolton, L. It. Partridge, IV. J. Thompson (Wellington); F. W, 0. Smith (Nelson); C. 11. A. T. Opio,, 11. R. Rnsbridge (Christchurch); S. J. Wallace (Timaru); T. Scott, E. J. Duthio (Dunedin); W. R. Riddell (Invercargill). Mr. T. Scott presided. The recommendations of tho previous day’s conference were confirmed.

Mr. J. Caughley, Director of Education, addressed the delegates. lie paid a high tribute to the work of tho directors and managers cf technical colleges, 'lliis phase of education appealed probably more keenly to the everyday man than tho more academic branches of education. In regard to questions of salaries and administration, lie. would ask critics whether conditions were not better than they were this time last year. Ho was satisfied that justice had been done by putting technical school teachers on the same footing as primary and secondary teachers. No set of regulations could in ono year clear up tho chaotic conditions of the past in technical education. If another increase of salaries were to bo made tho Department could move in a much less hampered manner. A distinct advance had,been made, and the Department was now in a position to make still more satisfactory progress. The number of appeals against the classification was only a tenth of the total number of teachers classified. All bodies should take the question nt issue on its merits at a particular time, and consider whether an improvement had not been m-ade. It would, always be the desire of the Department io co-operate with those connected with education on the spot, who could give very valuable assistance. There were some matters, with all respect io the laymen present, in which the Department could claim to be more expert—professional and educational aspects of the problem. In no field of education was there more room for development, more need than in technical and other post-primary branches of education. Nowhere else in tho world, he could say without fear of contradiction, w-ere such facilities offered so freely and so widely for * cehnl =“ l education as in New Zealand. No country had taken on such wide and extended responsibilities as to M,ucntlon ’ Ho was not satisfied as to the balance education yet. That was the problem they all had to attack, and the Department wanted their assistance in the very near future. It was a great tribute, to the people of New Zealand that they were willing to make such sacrifices in availing themselves of the privileges offered’ to a most remarkable degree. It is up to us,” said Mr. Ctiughlcj, as the saying is, to do our best for these neonle. A considerable extension towards what is understood as technical education is necessary if we are going to meet the demands of a modern age. (j Mr IB C. e 'H. A. T. Opie (Christchurch) moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Caughley. congratulating him on the position to which he had ’ and expressing their entire confidence in the future of technical education in was carried unanimously, with acclamation. Hours and Appointments. The hours of teachers in technical schools were discussed at considerable length. The conference was unable to come to any unanimity on the question, and it was finally decided to refer remits dealing with the subject to the directors. to report at the next annual meetly motion was proposed which expressed objection to the following instruction in a Departmental circular letter of February last:—‘’Appointments shall be provisional, and no appointment shall be confirmed until it has been approved by the Director of Education in terms ot the regulations applicable.’ Mr C. 11. Opie (Christchurch) said that ’from a long experience in making appointments, the local authorities knew what they wanted m the -way of mstii c tors, and should lie the best judges. The Department had made mistakes in it. appointments, and at Christchuich a deadlock had occurred on one occasiion, the hoard being satisfied that the} ha tho best man, and the Department being set on another. ' Mr. F. D. Opie (Palmerston North) said that tho conference had overlooked the fact that in the shortage of qualified teachers a temporary appointment was often desirable; otherwise, boards would be saddled with men proved unsuitable. Mr. It. Grant (Christchurch) held that the Department should reserve the right to prohibit transfers. In some instances, a board would secure a good teacher and another hoard would try to get him after u few months by offering higher inducements. The chairman (Mr. T. Scott) asked how the Department could determine the qualifications of applicants outside New Zealand. Ho admitted that the Department had every knowledge of teachers in the Dominion. Mr. W. S. La Trobe, Supervisor of Technical Education, said that the Department, under the regulations, had the right to bo satisfied that teachers appointed had the necessary qualifications. There was no intention of dictating to a board of managers that such and such a teacher should not be appointed. The instruction was merely to safeguard both the Department and the board from expenditure on classes that could not 'bo recognised. It was quite necessary that the Department should have some power of veto. In view of the statement by Mr. T.n Trobe the motion was withdrawn. Various Permits. The following motion was carried with several dissentients:—"Tending any wide reorganisation of our system of educational administration, it is the opinion of this conference that the administration of any technical school, where there is an organised day school, should be placed in charge of a board specially appointed for that purpose.” Among tho remits carried by the conference was tho following:—"That this conference while recognising the need for rigid economy in national expenditure—(a) Insists that true economy cannot be secured by slackening progress and improvement in the education system, (b) Urges upon the Government that now is the time to consider and frame a broad comprehensive scheme embracing the correlation, control, and expansion of all branches of -education in the. Dominion. (c) Presses upon the Government the advisability of experimenting. in selected centres, with remodelled primary and post-primary schools.” The conference set up a committee consisting of the following members to report to next conference on the correlation, control, and expansion of all branches of education in the Dominion: Messrs. G. J. Park, A. Marshall, J. P. Haiaugher, J. H. Howell, and C. 11. Opie. Other remits which were adopted are quoted below : — . "'This conference, reaffirms the desirability—(a) Of the Minister of Education’s’ scheme for remodelling the primary schools’l'sy!tabus so as to teiniinate the primn-y course at about the age of twelve yea's, (b) The establishment of junior high schools in which may bo begun preparatory courses in—(i) Secondary subjects, (ii) pre-vocational subjects,

in addition to tho subjects of the primary schools’ course, (c) The establishment of senior high schools teaching—(i) Subjects with a view to preparing students for entrance to a university as in present secondary schools, (ii) Vocational subjects as in present technical high Schools.”

” . his conference expresses its regret that neither the Education Department nor the Agricultural Department has issued details of an approved system of agricultural education for the Dominion.”

"Tliat the Department of Agriculture should establish farm schools in the closest possible vicinity of technical or secondary schools, and in any other part of Gib country where tho demand for pracTTeal farm training for boys justifies sueli establishments.” "That nt such farm schools, in addition to training in all branches of practical farm work, instruction should 'be given in English, history, and civics on general lines, in elementary science and mathematics bearing directly on farm work, and in subjects such as farm carpentry, saddlery, concrete work, and iron work.”

"In admitting students to farm schools preference should be given to those who have satisfactorily completed at least a two years’ course in agricultural science at a secondary or technical school.” "That the Government be urged, to provide technical colleges with areas of land sufficiently large for agricultural instruction on a practical scale.” Tho conference will resume its sittings at 9.30 a.m. to-day.