TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 91, 28 February 1885, Page 7

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Thb following circular has been is? ami to educational bodies :—": — " Education Department, Wellington, 19th January, l.*>bo. Sir, — I have the honour by direction of the Minister of Education to invite your attention to the great importance oF inclu I'mg in the programme of the secondary schools as much instruction as possible in subjects, that have a direct bearing upon the .technical arts of modern .life. Endowments and other aid have been bestowed on grammar and high schools to enable, them to snpply to all classes, aud not to the professional classes only, a course of study preparatory to the more direct and immediate training for special careers. The secondary schools should, therefore, be prepared to supplement the primary schools and to carry on pupils trained in them to higher studies. The State also expects the managers of the aecondaiy schools to bear in mind that the professions are likely to become overcrowded unless something is done to create a bias towards industries, and that our manufacturing industries will not b^ [followed by our brighter and more intelligent youths if they are merely drilled in the ordinary subjects of a grain.ner school education. In other countries incrrasing attention is now being paid to geometrical and mechanical drawing and the handling of tools as useful subjects of school instructions. The schools of this colony uight do good service by taking up these bui'jccts ! as well as physics and chemistry. Good i work miyht also be done by holding for ; a few months in each year, evening classes, in which apprentices and others migat have an opportunity of getting sound instruction in drawing and other subjects connected with their businesses or trades. In some towns voluntary effort has, to a certain extent,, supplied what is wanted m the way of evening c^assas, but the schools could in some instances afford scientific instruction more thoroughly. It should be remembered that some schools hold their endowments ; under trusts requiring them to keep up evening classes. If the secondary .schools have become in any respjet unpopular in any parts of tne colony, it may i»e because the people have not seen direct practical results flow from them. Wore attention paid to technical education as well as to ordinary studios in 'secondary schools, the objections now ar^ed against the endowing oi high and grammer schools would probably not be heard. The Minister hopes you will be able, as far as the revenues of your schools permits, to give the subject your early attention and support. ~-l have the honor to be, sir, yoar obedient servant, John Hislop."