TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 109, 9 May 1892, Page 4

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS,

The Government proposals for aiding technical manual.and technical elementary instruction have been embodied in a short Bill, copies of which have been forwarded to tho various educational bodies for their consideration, with a view to its introduction at the next session of Parliament. A copy of the measure has also been forwarded to Mr Jackson Palmer, in reply to his telegraphic inquiry as to on what conditions Auckland could participate in the Government grants made for this purpose. This Bill provides for manual instruction in the State school?, for at least two hour? a week for ten weeks in every quarter, by a qualified teacher after the ordinary school hours, and for a grant of two shillings per quarter for every unit of the average attendance upon such instruction, provided that no feo shall be charged to tho pupils Technical instruction is to be aiven in classee meeting in tho evening or on Saturday, and thoy may bo managed by tho instructor or instructors of the classes, by an Education Board, or Society or Committee. The managers may impose a fee as the condition of attendance at such classes, and the Minister of Education, if satisfied with tho qualifications of the instructor, will order payment from tho treasury at the rate of Is 3d a quarter for every unit of the average attendance if the class bo held for one hour a week for ten weeks of tho quarter. If tho class be held for two hours a week fer the ten weeks the rate will be increased to 2s 6d and so on, the rato increasing by Is Ikl for evory additional hour a weok. The payments so authorised are to be made quarterly. It is further provided that the Governor-in-Council may mako regulations to define tho branches of manual and technical instruction, and for the issuing of certificates to pupils, for inspection and otherwise, as may fee r.ocessary to Eecuro the due administration of the Act. Manual instruction is defined as "instruction in the use of tools, and in modelling in clay, wood, or other material." Technical instruction is defined as instruction in the principles of science and art, applicable to industries, and in the application of special branches of science and art to specific industries or employment. Ito does

not include teaching the practice of any trade, industry, or employment.