TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 65, 10 December 1926, Page 12

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

PREFERENCE TO FULL COURSE STUDENTS MINISTER'S INSTRUCTION Dominion Special. Auckland, December 9. The question whether a. technical college should be open to trade and domestic science students alone was discussed at a meeting of the Technical College Board of Manager. A letter was read from the Hon It. A. Wright (Minister of Education) stating that at the beginning ot the next school year preference was to be accorded those boys or girls seeking admission who intended taking the full trade or domestic science courses. It was not proposed that those taking other courses should be transferred to other schools; they would be allowed to complete their studies. The Minister stated that as about GO per cent, of such students would be leaving at the end of the year in any case, the number remaining would not be very large. • The chairman (Mr. H. S. W. King) said that he could not agree with the instructions contained in the letter. As the legislation stood at present, if a boy or girl obtained a proficiency certifi. cate, parents were entitled to send the child to any technical school if one were established in the vicinity. Mr C. IT. Furness said the technical schools were primarily established to fit hnvs for trades. They should therefore follow this idea as' far as possible nnd if the regulations were not in acwith it the matter should be referred to the Minister. 'm>- principal (Mr. C. .T. Park) said that he did not see how it was possible to give preference.to scholarship holders, then to free place holders, nnd lastly to those desirous of entering trades. As far ns thev were concerned (he object was •>’ nreserve an even development. ft was decided to rcplv to the Minister stating that the hoard supported the ’don of the instruction issued, but that was contrary to existing regulations.