MANUAL INSTRUCTION.
PROPOSED NEW A round-table discussion took place at yesterday’s meeting of tlie Taranaki Education Board, relative to the organisation and improvement of manual instruction in the district under the Board’s control. Mr. Tyrer (headmaster of the Stratford District High School)" and Mr. Johnston (agricultural instructor to the boanfl) were present by special invitation of the board. Messrs. A. L. Moore (New Plymouth director) and Mr. A. Gray (Hawera. director) were unable to attend owing to the opening of their respective schools. Mr. Moore, however, was later called in. In Introducing the subject, the chainman (Mr. P. J- H. White) said that it was probably ag much the fault of the board as of anyone that the- scheme in operation for the last two years bad not been altogether satisfactory, and had resulted in the loss of about £BOO. Mr. R. Masters, M.P., speaking as one of the members who had desired the presence of Messrs. Tyrer and Johnston, said it seemed advisable that the whole control should be in the hands of the secretary, whose actions would be largely guided by the views of the inspectors. Mr. Johnston, who was invited to speak, thought it desirable that the administration of manual training should be from the office, and that the direction should be under the control of a single instructor. Mr. Tyrer strongly condemned the present system, whereby time was wasted and a whole school day broken by the pupils of small schools attending classes at the centres. Better organisation was urgently wanted, so that one full day per fortnight could be devoted to manual instruction. An Instructor was wanted who was interested in Taranaki as a whole. He also thought that at idast one teacher should attend the classes With children.
Mr. Johnston, in reply to a question, stated that there was no question as to the value of the instruction given. The proposed change, ke was assured, would be welcomed by the teachers, not 20 per cent, of whom had the time, ability or conveniences to carry out, for instance, instruction in science subjects. As '■ things were, the teacher could do little more than play with such subjects. He considered that if children were to be taught scientifically the instructor should be essentially a teacher. It would, he thought, be better to promote a, teacher from their own ranks for the position of instructor. If a man of suitable ability was forthcoming. In reply to an enquiry by Mr. Lees as to the number of centres required in Taranaki, the speaker suggested Kaponga, Manala, Opunake, Inglewood, VVaitara, Eltham, Hawera, Stratford, and New Plymouth. Mr. Moore (New Plymouth director) was called in to give his views on the subject. He stated that with the development of manual training work he thought it advisable to place a local director in charge of his own district and to report to the board. He also suggested that a senior agricultural instructor and two junior instructors should also be appointed. The salaries would depend on the hours worked and the number in the classes. The general hand-work classes could quite easily ho organised by the inspectors. The proposed new classification would also relieve the board so far as finance was concerned, for the Department would pay salaries and incidental expenses. Direct supervision was needed. The position was a difficult one for any ono man to carry out. Personally ho advised that the secretary be appointed superintendent for the administrative part of the work. The question of transport was raised by Mr. Lees, for such a centre as Kaponga, for example. In his district he found that children were prepared to ride or drive five or six miles to the nearest centre. The Department granted a certain amount for travelling The chairman then moved: "That. Mr. A. L. Moore be relieved of his duties as director of manual training from February 28, as it is found that the demands of the New Plymouth Technical College take up all his time.” •This was seconded by Mr. Masters and carried. Mr. Smith said that the onus was upon the secretary to carry out the administrative branch of the new scheme. It was manifestly impossible to take the manual instructor to every school, and it was the board's duty to launch out on a scheme to give children of each district the best training possible. The new scheme was estimated to save £BOO a year on the old system. He wished to know what grant would be made by the Department towards expenses. Mr. Trimble stated that the regulation allowed 3s per head for expenses incurred in the teaching of cookery and woodwork. The chairman proposed that the administration of manual classes be placed under the control of the secretary, and that the various instructors be directly responsible to him to furnish reports relative to the classes they hold, except that in the case of two or more instructors for the same subject the board may designate one to be senior instructor, who shall, in such case, control under the secretary all the classes in hfs department. Mr. Lees seconded the motion. After a discussion, during which the chairman agreed to Withdraw the original motion, Mr. Smith moved: "That on and after March Ist next manual instruction throughout the district be controlled as follows: (1) That the secretary of the board be in control and responsible for Submitting full and accurate claims for payment of capitation. (2) That the principals, head-teachers and supervisors of schools in which manual instruction is taken be responsible for forwarding promptly to the secretary of the board all reports and returns relative to manual instruction.” The motion was seconded by Mr. Hoskin and carried. Mr. Smith then moved: "That, subject to the approval of the Director of Education, a supervisor be appointed who will be responsible for the organisation of manual classes throughout the district, the supervisor to be under the control of the secretary of the board.’’ —Seconded by Mr. Trimble and carried. '
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Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1921, Page 2
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1,004MANUAL INSTRUCTION. Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1921, Page 2
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