TRAINING TEACHERS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 440, 22 May 1937, Page 6

TRAINING TEACHERS

COMPREHENSIVE REPORT Committee’s Recommendations Press Association—Copyright. Wellington, May 21..

A long and comprehenf ive report covering the subject of teacher trailing was submitted to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute to-day by a committee appointed in investigate the position. The committee reeo mended, among other things, the eatfeblishment of associate normal schools? in training centres under the direct control of the Education Department. During the last few years tle're had been evident a developing sense of inadequacy in the present system of teacher training, the report said. The committee recommended that in general entrants to the profession should have a standard of education equal to the higher, leaving certificate, that the preliminary selection of students wishing to enter the profession be made during the last two years of their general educational course, thla.t a liason officer (a member of the in. spectora'-e) be appointed to facilitate the choice of entrants., that the first selection be made by a committee of three professionally qualified, guided' by the opinion and information of the liaison officer, ‘that provision be made for readjustments when necessary after the first choice. Schools' Equipment. After discussing various aspects of. trainees’ duties, the committee recommended that in each of the training college centres a sufficient number of associate normal schools be ■estaiblished in addition to the .existing normal schools, "that each .student during the training course be attached to several classes in the same practising school, that these sqhsgjlp be adequately staffed with ‘teachersspecially selected for the vyerk of' training students, thiat such positions carry additional remuneration lit keeping with the importance and responsibility of the work entailed, that normal schools and associate normal schools be .generously equipped, including a special library for the benefit of staff and students, that all normal schools be organised with two sides, each to undertake She work Of training students during al. ternate years only.

The committee also recommended that 'training centres be under the direct, control of th e Education Departmeni, that an advisory council be set up by the loaal education authority to assist in the control and conduct of training centres, that a board of studies- consisting of representatives of the uriiversity colleges and the Education Department be appointed for each centre to co.ordinato the courses .of .studies of students, that the diploma of education be awarded to candidates only after a considerable period of practical experience (five years is suggested), that specialist teachers be recruited from those already in the service who have shown some- aptitude in special directions', that the opportunity be giver, such .feacners to be closely .associated with training cen. tres for stated periods for further training in chosen subjects, -and that refresher courses be part of training centre activities.