Education Departmeni’s Economies,

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1922, Page 4

Education Departmeni’s Economies,

i statement BY the DIRECTOR. I WELLINGON, March 17. j The economies that are being effectI ed hy the Education Department in i connexion with technical classes have been the subject of much adverse criticism. The Director of Education (the | Hon. G. J'. Parr) with a statement of j the position from the Department’s ‘ point of view. [ The compulsory attendance of boys I and girls between 14 and 17 years of I age has not been a success in those I cases in which the students are unwiling to attend, states- the Director. In | many cases, also, the course taken has ' no very direct bearing on the occupation of the pupil, it being found necessary often to admit a compulsory pupil to classes which are attractive, such as 1 woodwork and metal work for hoys, i rather than to classes which deal with * subjects involving more mental strain, j 1 ]t is not, however, the intention of the I j Department to prevent pupils between , ;14 and 17 years of age from availing i themselves, if they so desire of the i privileges, which they would enjoy un- , dm the regulations for compulsory at- - tendance. It is only in respect of those - who do not wish to attend that no pro- > vision will be made. All those who - wish to attend will be admitted, pn> ; vided there is a reasonable demand for instruction in any particular subject, and provided, also, that such pupils, not otherwise entitled to free places arc prepared to e<>ino voluntarily under . the provisions for compulsory attenda nee.

As regards technical classes generally, it is not the intention of the Department to refuse to recognise those which, minister to a real educational need in the community. Even in the case of adult classes for such subjects as cookery, dressmaking, and woodwork recognition will not be withheld, if it is shown that the class is mainly attended by learners, and that the classroom is nob used merely as a convenient workroom for producing articles with the aid of an export paid by the Government. Under the latest regulations, by which the salaries of teachers are naid by the Government directly by capitation on the attendance of pupils, it is necessary that the Department should impose some lower limit on the number of pupils for which a class should be recognised. It is admitted that this lower limit should not be too arbitrary, and that where a subject is essential for an important industry or occupation, a class may he profitably established, even if the numbers are below those which under the capitation system, would be required to enable the expenses of teaching and maintenance to he met. It must he pointed out that whereas formerly the financial responsibility for a class rested directly on the managers it now rests almost entirely on the Department, which hopes, however, to have the cordial co-

operation of the managers in its efforts to secure both efficiency and economy in the administration of technical and continuation classes.