TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 56, 24 July 1912, Page 5

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

REPORT BY INSPECTOR-GENERAL. "CALL FOR SERIOUS RECONSIDERATION."

A voluminous report was received at the Education Board meeting last night from the Inspector-General of Schools (Mr. G. Hogben) on the manual and technical instruction classes held in the Taranaki district. In it he noted that during the past few years efforts to create and sustain practical interest in technical classes in New Plymouth did not appear to have met with a satisfactory response. Comparatively few classes had been established, and the attendance of pupils seemed to indicate that the desire for instruction in subjects related to local industries was limited. It was, therefore, gratifying to report that indications of increasing interest in the work of the local technical school among those who were likely to derive most benefit therefrom were more apparent this year than had been the case a't some previous visits of inspection, and there was little doubt that this revival of interest was due largely to the establishment of day classes in subjects related to commercial, domestic, industrial, and other pursuits, and attended by young persons holding proficiency certificates, who, for certain reasons, were unable and in some cases unwilling to attend the New Plymouth High School. The first morning train did not arrive at New Plymouth until 10.45. Country pupils must therefore reside in town if they wished to attend the local secondary school, or lose two hours' instruction each day. Under the circumstances the day classes appeared to meet a need, and their establishment might be a factor in the solution of the problem which had confronted the controlling authority—how best to bring the technical school into closer touch with the industrial and domestic life of the town and district. Ilis impressions gathered at the day classes were, that the pupils were interested in their work, and determined to make the best use of the opportunity afforded them.

EVENING CLASSES. Continuing, Mr. Hogben said that the number of students in attendance at the evening classes was small. Many causes might be assigned for this comparative lack of success, but the opinion was again expressed that until the school was placed in ehaTgo of a director, who would devote his whole time to organisation and clerical work connected therewith and be responsible to the board for that work alone, little further progress would be made. That no classes were in operation in Stratford was no doubt due to the disorganised conditions of the school during the re-building operations. It was expected that classes would be established as soon as the new building was ready for occupation. 'SCHOOL CLASSES. Regarding school classes, the Inspector remarked that, speaking generally, there were indications of improvement in the work of all the wood-work and ironwork classes inspected, although the drawing did not yet reach the standard that might be expected.A great improvement had been effected, in the Now Plymouth, cookery room. At Stratford the appearance and condition of tho room was anything but satisfactory. The practical work at all the class'es inspected in the district was admirable, and the instruction generally in both method and principle left little to be desired.

AGRICULTURE AND DAIRYING. Good work appeared to bo in progress in both elementary agriculture and dairying. The combined course in these subjects at Inglewood was deserving of special mention. GENERAL.

In a general summary, the Inspector said that a survey of technical instruction in the Taranaki district appeared to show that, while the progress made during the past few yoar.s had not been all_ that could be desired, evidences of brighter prospects for the future were not wanting. The whole question of technical instruction in its relation to the distiict appeared to call for serious reconsideration and such measures should be adopted as would ensure a more adequate return for the expenditure of effort and funds.

The. repoTt was received without discussion.