TECHNICAL EDUCATION CAPITATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 234, 30 September 1908, Page 3

TECHNICAL EDUCATION CAPITATION.

■ m ■ — INSPECTOR - GENERAL'S EXPLANATION. With reference to the reduction In the capitation for commercial classes, and the effect of such reduction upon tho administration ,of .the Technical Day School, the Auckland Board of Education, apprehending a serious deficiency for the year 1909. which would Heriously embarrass the finances of the manual and technical department in this district, has been in communication with the Secretary for Education. The attention of the Board had been called to a letter from the InspectorGeneral to the Grammar School Board, suggesting that the work now done by pupils holding junior free places at the Technical Day School, should be done at the Grammar School. The Board of Education decided to point out the "superior facilities" afforded by the Technical Day School for the training of boys and girls for commercial and mechanical pursuits. The Inspector-General (Mr G. Hogben) has replied that he is desirous of pointing Out that the circular referred to was issued solely with the view of obtaining information bearing on the general question of free secondary education, including certain, but not necessarily all, of the courses of instruction, comprising the curriculum of what are called Technical Day Schools. Might not the fact, he continued, referred to in the Board of Education's letter, that the facilities at these schools for carrying out the courses to which the Department's circular, particularly relates were superior to those provided at secondary schools, be largely due to the fact that the latter had speaking felt called upon hitherto to make special provision for such courses? Nothing would be done with a view to preventing overlapping in the secondary and technical school without due notice and duoj regard for the arrangements and agreements already made by the controlling authorities. The Chairman (Mr C. J. Parr): The Department has asked for this return. I don't know whether it is because it is on the eve of a general election, or that they really mean business. I hope that they do do for this district.