TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 12, 16 January 1933, Page 6

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

. (To the Editor.) Sir,—ln last Wednesday's "Post" "In-! dustrmhst" makes a sweeping attack on our system of technical education. He complains that the technical schools are controlled almost exclusively by ex-primary school teachers who are non-technicians Aow, Sir, if the above state of affairs is correct who is to blame? In my opinion j it is the so-called industrialists who ha\'e let this state of affairs , develop without extending a helping hand to assist those in control of technical. education. Now when industry is being hit hard by the depression, they seek to throw the blame on the Education Department, which has earned on in spite of overwhelming difficulties. It is admitted that in private coaching schools much more efficient instruction is given in special subjects, such as eommercal courses and certain branches of engineering, but even "Industrialist" must admit, that the alleged inefficiency of the technical schools is the direct result of the non-co-operation' of industrialists with the technical authorities. As to the motor trade examinations for mechanics, those responsible would have done well to have left the matter of examinations in the hands of those who by training and experience are best qualified to undertake the task, vii, the Education Department. • One of the main considerations of an examining body is that it should be competent and that its fairness should be above question. _ I would suggest that "Industrialist," instead of quoting the fad of the motor traders to condemn technical education as carried out at present., spend a little time in investigating the reasons behind the institution of their • independent examination.—l am, etc., Vn i , » i .TECHNICAL. I. The above letter has been abridged.— Ed.j