PUKEKOHE'S EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 96, 15 October 1915, Page 2

PUKEKOHE'S EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.

Technical High 'School Scheme. At the meeting of the Pukekobe School Committee held on Mondjy last a letter relative to the proposed establishment ot a Technical High School in Pukekohe was received from the Anckland Education board asking the Committee to submit the names in accordance with the Education Department's requirements of 40 pupils who were qualified in accordance with the regulations to be admitted to such school, and whose parents had expressed in writing their intention of enrolling them at such pchool. A copy of the Acting-Senior Inspector's report to the Board on the proposed establishment of a Technical High Schocl was also enclosed. The Inspector reported a3 follows: "Ther«e is at present a District High School at Pukekohe with a roll number of nearly thirty pupils. Pukekohe is th2 natural cente of a large and important dist'ict which is increasing in population. Quite a number of children t'avel by train trom Pukekohe and from the district between it and Auckland in order to attend either the Technical College in the city, or one or other of the Auckland Grammir School*. if a Secondary or Technical High Scho.l were established at Pukskona I consider that the rill number would at opening be quit! sixty pupils, and within a very short time would rise ti 009 hundred pupils. The school would serve the district stretching from Papakura to Mercer, and the railway service is admirably suitable; moreover, with the opening of the Waiuku railway pupils from the extensive district west of Pukekohe could easily attend. I am strongly of opinion that a Technical High School in preference to a Secondary Sihool should be established. The curriculum of a Technical High School includes both technical and vocational courses; technical instruction meaning instruction in the principles of any special science or art as applied to industries, accompanied by individual laboratory or workshop practice, or instruction in modern languages, or in such other subjects connected with industrial, commercial, agricultural or domestic pursuits as are prescribed: and vocational course meaning a recognised course of instruction including the essentials of a general secondary education and subjects that are preliminary or introductory to a trade or professional occupation. It wiil tbus be seen that a Technical High S.hool may cover by instruction all the wo:k done in a Secondary School with the addition of Technical instruction."

The chairman (the Rev. F. B. Djbson) expressed the opinion that it would be a difficult mittr tn obtain particulars for tho data as asked for by the Board. It wag decided to circularise the parents of children attending the Technical School in Auckland, the Pukekohe High School and the 6th Standard at the Pukekohe School with the view of obtaining names as asked for.